Section 16(1) of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002 provides that the Commission may grant to any person a licence to carry out the distribution of natural gas to customers. The licensing of entities wishing to engage in such activities allows the Commission to regulate those entities. Regulations 2005 (SI No. 760 of 2005) required that an independent subsidiary company of Bord Gáis Éireann be given responsibility for operating the BGÉ transportation system.
The CER confers the rights to build and operate natural gas pipelines in certain areas by means of a Section 2(1) Order. On 4 July 2008 Gaslink was appointed as the operator of the distribution system through the Commission's licensing program. Gaslink was established in 2007 in compliance with the unbundling requirements of the EU Gas Directive 2003/55/EC. Gaslink ensure fair and non-discriminatory access to the natural gas network and avoid conflicts of interest in the gas supply market.
Bord Gáis Éireann are currently licensed as the distribution system owner. The possibility exists, however, for other entities to build and operate a distribution network.
To view the Distribution Asset Owner (DAO) licence awarded to Bord Gáis Éireann and the Distribution System Operator (DSO) licence awarded to Gaslink, please click on the links below:
Click on the link below to view the distribution licence granted to Bord Gáis Éireann prior to the establishment of Gaslink.
On 16 July 2007, the CER made a Statutory Order (SI 528 of 2007) awarding the gas distribution rights for counties Galway and Mayo to Bord Gais Networks. To view the details of this Statutory Instrument and the consultation carried out by the CER, please follow the link below: