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Challenging natural monopolies: Assessing market power of gas transmission system operators for cross-border capacity

Author

Listed:
  • Keller, Jann T.
  • Kuper, Gerard H.
  • Mulder, Machiel

Abstract

It is expected that several national gas markets in Europe will be merged in the near future. Such mergers provide network users transport alternatives, which may imply competition amongst transmission system operators (TSOs). TSOs are, however, regulated by default, as they are viewed to operate natural monopolies facing no effective competition. Using daily data for the German gas market over 2014–2018, this paper assesses market power for cross-border transport capacity based on the Residual Supply Index to analyse the need for regulation. To contribute to the debate on the future regulatory framework within the EU, we assess TSOs’ market power for cross-border capacity in a single merged German gas market. We find 15 German TSOs operating in seven relevant markets. In 85% of the cases, we do not find any significant market power for TSOs. In 20% of these cases, the absence of significant market power was related to the utilisation of excess storage capacity. Hence, we conclude that current regulatory constraints imposed on gas TSOs, such as tariff regulation, may be relaxed for cross-border capacity, when market mergers lead to effective inter-TSO competition.

Suggested Citation

  • Keller, Jann T. & Kuper, Gerard H. & Mulder, Machiel, 2022. "Challenging natural monopolies: Assessing market power of gas transmission system operators for cross-border capacity," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:170:y:2022:i:c:s0301421522004475
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113228
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Hudák, Milan & Čermáková, Klára & Kadeřábková, Božena & Popescu, Irina Alina & Balsalobre-Lorente, Daniel, 2026. "From fragmentation to integration: Gas market convergence in Central and Eastern Europe in the aftermath of the EU energy crisis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    3. Shah Faisal & Ciwei Gao, 2024. "A Comprehensive Review of Integrated Energy Systems Considering Power-to-Gas Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-21, September.
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    5. Przemysław Kaszyński & Aleksandra Komorowska & Jacek Kamiński, 2023. "Revisiting Market Power in the Polish Power System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-23, June.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • K23 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Regulated Industries and Administrative Law
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L95 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Gas Utilities; Pipelines; Water Utilities
    • L98 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Government Policy
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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