TAQA gets Final Bergermeer Gas Storage Approvals

Abu Dhabi's TAQA is growing its presence in European energy markets.

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) today announced that all required statutory approvals and permits to construct and operate the Bergermeer Gas Storage facility in the Netherlands have been signed by the Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture & Innovation, Minister of Infrastructure & Environment and other authorities. The statutory notices have been published in local newspapers today and will be published in the State Gazette on 19 May.

Bergermeer Gas Storage operations will start in 2013 with full commercial operations in 2014. Bergermeer Gas Storage will provide the Northwest European gas market with 46 TWh (4.1 billion cubic metres) of seasonal storage, thereby almost doubling the Netherlands’ total storage capacity.

“With the open access Bergermeer Gas Storage facility, we are creating the pivot for the success of the Northwest European gas hub in the Netherlands. Sufficient natural gas storage capacity guarantees security of supply and ensures the flexibility required for a properly functioning market.” said Jan Willem van Hoogstraten, Managing Director TAQA Energy B.V.

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As an open access gas storage facility, Bergermeer Gas Storage will offer a majority of its total storage capacity to the market. Initially up to 11.3 TWh is being offered for periods of 4 to 10 years as part of the open season launched at the Flame Gas Conference in Amsterdam on 10 May 2011. This longer-term capacity is intended to be awarded to the launching customers in November 2011. The remaining available capacity will be auctioned on an annual basis with the first auction taking place close to the start of commercial operations.