Portugal and Spain in conflict over natural gas
Spain is considering a 13.9% discount on tariffs for Spanish liquefied natural gas terminals. ERSE contests this, stating that the measure could affect the Sines terminal.
Spain may advance with a 13.9% discount on tariffs for Spanish liquefied natural gas terminals, a measure that is generating discomfort in the Energy Services Regulatory Entity (ERSE), according to the Jornal de Negócios.
For the Portuguese regulator, the measure “will have harmful effects on the Portuguese market and on the development of Mibgas [the Iberian natural gas market]” and will “benefit Spanish infrastructures”, damaging the Sines terminal. ERSE says the measure could create an obstacle to competitiveness as it “undermines the level playing field between Iberian LNG terminals.”
In its report to the Spanish National Market and Competition Commission, the Portuguese regulator explains that the neighbouring country’s proposal envisages a change in the reference price methodology, which will have differentiated prices at the various points of entry and exit of the network. If applied, the Sines terminal will now have higher tariffs than the six terminals in the Spanish market.
