Primary legislation

The import and supply of natural gas in Greece and the development of its distribution network was initially regulated byLaw 2364/1995 (Government Gazette Α’ 252/6.12.1995). According toLaw 3428/2005 (Government Gazette Α’ 313/27.12.2005)on the “Liberalization of the Natural Gas Market”, incorporates into national Law the provisions of the European Directives and Regulations on common rules in the internal gas market (Directive 2003/55/EC and EC1775/2005 -2nd energy package).

Subsequently, the new energy Law4001/2011 (Government Gazette A’ 179/22.8.2011) on the energy markets for electricity and natural gas was adopted, which mostly replaced Law 3428/2005 in order to harmonize national legislation with the provisions of the “3rd energy package”, as defined by Directive 2009/73/EC and Regulations (EC) 713/2009 and 715/2009. The Law 4001/2011, has undergone numerous amendments and is now in force as follows:

https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/121622/nomos-4001-2011

In compliance with the provisions of Art. 90 par. 1 of Law 4001/2011, the Licensing Regulation was approved by the Minister of Environment and Energy (Government Gazette B’ 3430/17.8.2018) and subsequently in compliance with the Art. 80C par. 1 of the same Law the provision of the Natural Gas Distribution License (Government Gazette B’5904/31.12.2018) and the Natural Gas Distribution Network Management License (Government Gazette B’5923/31.12.2018) ) for EDA ATTIKIS S.A.

In 2020 the Natural Gas Distribution License (Government Gazette B’4723/26.10.2020) and the Natural Gas Distribution Network Management License (Government Gazette B’4695/26.10.2020) of EDA Attikis Single Member S.A. were amended in order to reflect the 100% ownership of its shares by DEPA INFRASTRUCTURE S.A.

Secondary legislation

Distribution Networks Management

Distribution Network Management Code

Following the provisions of paragraph 8 of Art. 80 of Law 4011/2011, the Natural Gas Distribution Network Management Code ((Government Gazette B’ 487/20.02.17), which was amended by virtue of Decree No. 702/2017, 298/2018, 642/2018 and 420/2021 decisions of RAE The latter amendment (RAE Decision 420/2021 – Government Gazette B’ 3726/12.08.2021), expanded the scope of the Code to include all Distribution Network Operators.

Regulation on Pricing of Basic Distribution Activity

By B’3067/26.09.2016 εγκρίθηκε ο Κανονισμός Τιμολόγησης Βασικής Δραστηριότητας Διανομής Φυσικού Αερίου και ακολούθως με το ΦΕΚ Β’3490/31.10.2016 εγκρίθηκε το τιμολόγιο the tariff for the Attica Distribution Network was approved.

In November 2020 and with Government Gazette B’4925/09.11.2020, RAE approved the 1st Revision of the tariffs for the regulatory period 2019-2022.

Subsequently, the 1st revision of the Tariff Regulation was amended by Government Gazette B’3727/12.08.2021 in order to broaden its scope to include all Distribution Network Operators.

However, with Government Gazette B 3358/30.06.2022 the 2^nd revision of the Pricing Regulation was amended, in order to incorporate the provisions of par. 8 of article 88 of Law 4001/2011 for the Emerging Natural Gas Areas, which stipulates the possibility of recovering the under-recovery of the Required Revenue from the tariffs of other Natural Gas Distribution Networks, whose Management Licences belong to the same legal entity. In addition, through the 2^nd revision, the regulatory framework was harmonized with regard to the depreciation period of fixed assets and the obligation of the Operators to submit to RAE data certified by Chartered Auditors was established.

Framework for the Development of Remote Distribution Networks & CNG

The Government Gazette B’ 3334/10.08.2018 approved the Framework for the Development of Remote Distribution Networks using Compressed/ Liquefied Natural Gas, which provides for the possibility for Distribution Network Operators to develop virtual CNG/LNG pipelines. Pursuant to the aforementioned Decision, theGovernment Gazette B’4298/27.09.2018 was amended with the terms and criteria for the tender for CNG Virtual Pipeline services decision which was amended by the Government Gazette B’2945/16.07.2019.

Government Gazette B’ 5661/17.12.2018, established technical specifications of competent bodies, terms and conditions for the establishment and operation of service stations with installation of compressed natural gas (CNG) supply devices in wheeled vehicles).

Government Gazette B’ 4271/16.09.2021 amended the Framework for the Development of Remote Distribution Networks Using Compressed/ Liquefied Natural Gas, in order, among other things, to broaden the concept of the Virtual Pipeline by adopting the Virtual Interconnection, i.e., the feeding of a Remote Distribution Network from other distribution or transmission networks.

Measurement Regulation

Government Gazette B’ 4818/24.12.2019 approved the Gas Distribution Network Metering Regulation. Subsequently, withGovernment Gazette B’ 2794/30.06.2021 the 1st revision of the Metering Regulation was amended, in order to expand its scope to include all Distribution Network Operators

Typical Consumption Curves

The methodology for determining the typical consumption characteristics and creating typical consumption curves for non-hourly metered end customers, pursuant to Article 21 of the Natural Gas Distribution Networks Management Code, was approved by RAE Decision 125/2018, which was amended byRAE Decision 750/2020 (Government Gazette B’ 2045/30.05.2020)

Model Connection Contract

Government Gazette B’ 1788/11.05.2020 approved the Standard Contract for Connection to the Distribution Network.

Security of Supply

Under Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas supply and repealing Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 and in the context of the provisions of Law 4001/2011, RAE establishes an Emergency Plan and a Preventive Action Plan to guarantee, continued supply to protected customers (as defined in Government Gazette B’ 1684 /24.6.2014).

The updated Emergency Plan came into force with Government Gazette B ‘201/19.01.2023 integrating the provisions of the updated (in the context of Regulations EU 2022/1369 and 2022/1032) Preventive Action Plan (Government Gazette B’5534/26.10.2022).

Energy Efficiency

Pursuant to the provisions of Directive 2018/2002/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency as incorporated by Law 4843/2021 (A’ 193) and the National Climate Law 4936/2022 (A’ 105)the Regulation on the Operation of the Energy Efficiency Obligation Regime for the period 2021-2030 (Government Gazette B’2898/2022 ), was amended, according to which the Distribution Network Operators are obliged to implement specific energy saving actions in end-use.