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Natural Gas Act

Content

Natural Gas Act - content
Issuer:Riigikogu
Type:act
In force from:01.01.2014
In force until:09.04.2014
Translation published:04.03.2014

Natural Gas Act1

Passed 29.01.2003
RT I 2003, 21, 128
Entry into force 01.07.2003

Amended by the following legal instruments (show)

PassedPublishedEntry into force
10.03.2004RT I 2004, 18, 13115.04.2004
16.11.2005RT I 2005, 64, 48311.12.2005
07.12.2006RT I 2006, 58, 43901.01.2007
07.02.2007RT I 2007, 17, 8009.03.2007
22.11.2007RT I 2007, 66, 40801.01.2008
10.06.2009RT I 2009, 34, 22506.07.2009
15.06.2009RT I 2009, 39, 26224.07.2009
27.01.2010RT I 2010, 9, 4108.03.2010
22.04.2010RT I 2010, 22, 10801.01.2011, enters into force on the day determined by the decision of the Council of the European Union concerning repeal of the derogation established in respect of the Republic of Estonia on the basis of Article 140 (2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Decision No. 2010/416/EU of the Council of the European Union (OJ L 196, 28.07.2010, pp. 24–26).
10.06.2010RT I 2010, 41, 24101.08.2010
23.02.2011RT I, 25.03.2011, 101.01.2014; entry into force amended to 01.07.2014 [RT I, 22.12.2013]
06.06.2012RT I, 28.06.2012, 208.07.2012, partially 01.11.2012, 01.01.2013, 01.01.2014, 01.01.2015
05.12.2013RT I, 22.12.2013, 101.01.2014

Chapter 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS 

§ 1.  Scope of application of this Act

 (1) This Act governs activities related to the import, transmission, distribution and sale of natural gas (hereinafter, ‘gas’) by way of gas networks (hereinafter, ‘networks’), and connection to networks.

 (11) The requirements established in this Act with respect to gas, including liquefied natural gas (hereinafter, ‘LNG’), shall also apply to biogas, gas obtained from biomass and other types of gas, provided they meet the quality requirements of gas and they can technically and safely be entered into and transmitted via the gas network.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (2) The activities specified in subsection 1 of this section must be co-ordinated and conform to the principles of objectivity, equal treatment and transparency in order to guarantee a secure, reliable and effective gas supply at a justified price in compliance with environmental requirements and the needs of the customers.

 (3) The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act apply to administrative proceedings provided in this Act without prejudice to the rules specific to this Act.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 2.  Definitions

  The terms in this Act are defined as follows:
 1) network is a fixed operational assembly which consists of gas pipelines and any construction works connected to those pipelines, and which is necessary for the transmission and distribution of gas; consumer installations and equipment are not deemed to be part of the network;
 2) [Repealed – RT I 2005, 64, 483 – entry into force 11.12.2005]
 3) consumer installation is an interconnected operational assembly of gas pipelines which is intended for supplying the customer with gas and which is located on one or several registered immovables, construction works or a complex of construction works that are functionally interconnected and constitute a single economic unit, including the land necessary for servicing those construction works;
 4) network area is the area in which a network that is owned by or that is in the possession of a single network operator is located and developed;
 5) licensed territory is the area, defined in a network operator’s activity licence, in which the network operator operates;
 6) supply point is the point of connection of a network and a consumer installation, or the connection point of a network and the network of another network operator;
 7) the service boundary of a network is the boundary up to which the network operator maintains the network on contract basis;
 8) customer is a person who purchases gas distributed through a network for the person’s own use;
 9) network operator is an undertaking engaged in the provision of network service;
 10) seller is an undertaking engaged in the sale of gas;
 11) security of supply means the capability of the gas system to guarantee that customers enjoy a due supply of gas, considering existing demand and estimated future demand;
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]
 12) supply disruption is a reduction or interruption in the supplying of gas through at least one interconnector that crosses the national border, which results in endangering the due operation of the internal gas market and supply of gas to customers;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 13) LNG terminal is a civil engineering work, together with the related ancillary services, which is used for liquefying gas or for importing, offloading and regasification of LNG. Gas storage facilities are not part of an LNG terminal;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 14) ancillary services are the services required for the operation of and access to networks or LNG terminals and gas storage facilities, including load balancing, blending and injection of inert gases. Services which are necessary for fulfilling the obligations of a system operator are not part of ancillary services;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 15) gas storage facility is a facility owned or operated by a gas undertaking and used for the storage of gas, including the part of an LNG terminal used for the storage of LNG. A gas storage facility does not include the part of an LNG terminal which is used for production operations, or the part of a civil engineering work used for carrying out the functions of the system operator;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 16) gas transmission network is an operational assembly which is necessary for the transmission of gas and for the creation of connections with the networks of other countries, and which consists of gas pipelines whose operating pressure exceeds 16 bar and of any construction works connected to those pipelines in fixed manner, as well as of the control, protection, communication and metering systems necessary for the operation, maintenance and development of the transmission system.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

Chapter 2 OPERATION OF GAS MARKET 

Division 1 Gas Market Participants 

§ 3.  Market participants

  Market participants are gas undertakings and customers.

§ 4.  Gas undertaking

  A gas undertaking is an undertaking which operates in at least one of the activity areas of production, import, transmission, distribution, storage and sale of gas, and which is responsible for attending to commercial or maintenance issues related to the corresponding activity.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 5.  Eligible customer

 (1) An eligible customer is a market participant who is not a household customer.

 (2) An eligible customer is entitled to purchase gas from any seller within the technical limits of the network.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 6.  Household customer

 (1) Household customers are customers who purchase natural gas for their own household consumption.

 (2) Until 1 July 2007, household customers shall purchase gas from the network operator to whose network their consumer installations are connected or from a seller designated by the network operator.

 (3) As of 1 July 2007, household customers are entitled to purchase gas from any seller within the technical limits of the network.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

Division 2 Operation of Gas Market 

§ 7.  Import, transmission, distribution and sale of gas

 (1) Import of gas means the application of the customs procedure ‘release of goods for free circulation’ as defined in Council Regulation 2913/92/EEC establishing the Community Customs Code (OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, pp. 1–50) to gas.

 (2) For the purposes of this Act, transmission of gas is the transport of gas through a high pressure pipeline to a consumer installation or an agreed supply point. The use of an upstream pipeline network and the use of high-pressure pipelines for local distribution of gas is not regarded as transmission of gas.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (3) For the purposes of this Act, distribution of gas is the transport of gas to consumer installations or agreed supply points through regional or local systems of distribution pipelines, including high-pressure pipelines used for local distribution of gas.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (4) For the purposes of this Act, sale of gas is the transfer of gas to a person for a charge.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 8.  Obligations of gas undertakings

 (1) A gas undertaking shall ensure that customers are supplied with gas in compliance with this Act, the conditions of the activity licence and the relevant contracts.

 (2) A gas undertaking shall, in its internal accounting rules, establish principles which require the accounts for transmission, distribution and sale of gas and for any activity area unrelated to these activities to be kept in the manner that separate undertakings operating in these areas of activity would be obligated to.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (21) A gas undertaking shall keep separate accounts for the sale of gas to household customers and eligible customers.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (22) Gas undertakings must establish accounting rules regarding the classification of assets and liabilities and of items of revenue and expenditure, to be followed in keeping the accounts of the activity areas specified in subsection 2 of this section.

 (3) A gas undertaking shall make it possible for the Competition Authority to audit its accounts and shall provide any necessary explanations concerning its economic activities.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (4) A gas undertaking shall submit information concerning the formation of the price of gas and of the price of network services to Statistics Estonia pursuant to the procedure provided in the Official Statistics Act.
[RT I 2010, 41, 241 - entry into force 01.08.2010]

 (41) A gas undertakings who is not obligated to publish its annual accounts shall keep a copy thereof at its seat of business and make it available to members of the public.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (42) Gas undertakings shall preserve the information regarding gas transactions for at least five years and shall transmit the information, if required, to the Competition Authority and the European Commission. The information shall include the following:
 1) term of the transaction and terms and conditions concerning delivery and payment;
 2) volume of the transaction;
 3) date and time of fulfilling the transaction by trading period;
 4) price of the transaction;
 5) particulars of the seller;
 6) details of uncompleted supply agreements.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (5) A gas undertaking shall publish the approved prices, ceiling rates, methods, standard terms and conditions, as well as information regarding the rights of the customer and the possible ways of resolving disputes on its website and shall provide information regarding these to any person who requests such information.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (51) A gas undertaking shall provide a customer who requests it information regarding the customer’s consumption data. No fee shall be charged for the provision of consumption data.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (6) A gas undertaking shall organise the preparation, submission and publication of its annual report pursuant to the Accounting Act. If auditing is compulsory, the sworn auditor’s report shall, among other matters, include an assessment regarding compliance of the gas undertaking’s annual report and annexes thereto with the provisions of this Act.
[RT I 2010, 9, 41 - entry into force 08.03.2010]

 (7) At the request of the Competition Authority, a gas undertaking shall provide to the Competition Authority the information necessary for performance of the duties of the competent authority as stipulated in Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning measures to safeguard security of gas supply and repealing Council Directive 2004/67/EC (OJ L 295, 12.11.2010, pp. 1–21).
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 81.  Unbundling of activities

 (1) A network operator who provides transmission services may concurrently engage in the provision of distribution services but may not at the same time be a seller.

 (2) A network operator who has more than 100,000 consumers connected to its distribution network and who does not provide transmission services shall unbundle its gas distribution and sales activities and establish, as of 1 July 2007, separate companies for the distribution and sale of gas. If the number of connected customers of a network operator exceeds the ceiling value of 100,000 after this date, the network operator shall bring its activities into conformity with the requirements of this section within six months.

 (3) A network operator who has less than 100,000 consumers connected to its distribution networks and who does not concurrently provide transmission services may at the same time be a seller.

 (4) [Repealed – RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 – entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 9.  Sale of gas

 (1) The seller of gas who has the greatest market share within a network area is obligated to sell gas within the technical limits of the network to any household customer who has a network connection and who is located within the network area if the customer wishes to purchase gas.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (11) The amounts of gas sold shall be expressed in kilowatt hours (kWh). Until 1 January 2014, gas undertakings shall express the accounted amounts of gas in both cubic metres and kilowatt hours.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

 (2) The selling price of gas does not include the price of the network service.
[RT I 2009, 34, 225 - entry into force 06.07.2009]

 (3) A seller of gas shall establish, with the approval of the Competition Authority, standard terms and conditions for the sale of gas to household customers which shall, amongst other things, set out the following:
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]
 1) the name and the address of the seller;
 2) the service provided;
 3) margin values of the levels of quality of the service offered;
 4) notification of customers of applied rates and prices;
 5) term of the contract, conditions for renewal and termination of the contract;
 6) obligation to switch to another seller without charge;
 7) options of payment for the service;
 8) possible compensations and procedure for refunds;
 9) resolution of complaints.

 (31) A contract for the sale of gas shall set out, amongst other matters, the category of supply.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (32) A contract for the sale of gas to a household customer may also include provisions of the contract for network services which deal with the provision of the network services necessary for the distribution of the gas to be sold.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (32) A seller of gas shall allow termination of a contract for the sale of gas in the case of the customer’s switching to another seller, within three weeks of submission of the corresponding application by the customer, provided the obligations arising from the contract to be terminated have been performed.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (4) As of 1 July 2007, gas undertakings must submit separate invoices for the sale of gas and for the provision of network services, or to distinguish such activities as separate items of a single invoice.

§ 91.  Gas undertaking in dominant position on the market

 (1) The gas undertaking in a dominant position on the market (hereinafter, ‘the gas undertaking in a dominant position’) within the meaning of the Competition Act shall publish the terms and conditions of the sale of gas and the principles of formation of the selling price.

 (2) In elaborating the terms and conditions of the sale of gas and in establishing the selling price of gas, the gas undertaking in a dominant position shall have regard to the principles of equal treatment and transparency.

 (3) The selling price of gas must cover the necessary operating expenses and ensure that the necessary investments can be made and a justified profit is returned.

 (4) If the Competition Authority so requires, the gas undertaking in a dominant position shall provide evidence regarding the compliance of the selling price with the conditions specified in subsection 3 of this section.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (6) If the selling price is not in compliance with the conditions specified in subsection 3 of this section, the Competition Authority shall have the right to require that that price be brought into such compliance.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (6) The undertaking in a dominant position may not refuse to sell gas to a household customer if the customer so requests.
[RT I 2009, 34, 225 - entry into force 06.07.2009]

§ 10.  Selling price of gas for household customers

 (1) In setting the price of gas for household customers, the gas undertaking in a dominant position shall follow the principle that the weighted average price of the gas it sells contains the price for which it has purchased gas from abroad and a sales margin added thereto.

 (2) In purchasing gas, the gas undertaking in a dominant position shall follow good business practice and shall make its purchases of gas at the most favourable price possible.

 (3) The gas undertaking in a dominant position must obtain the approval of the Competition Authority for the ceiling rate of its sales margin.

 (4) The ceiling rate of the sales margin specified in subsection 3 of this section must cover the costs incurred in the sale of gas and ensure justified profitability. The Competition Authority shall prepare and publish uniform methods for the calculation of the ceiling rate of the sales margin and shall rely on these methods when approving the ceiling rate of the sales margin.

 (5) The Competition Authority shall make a decision with respect to approval of the ceiling rate of the sales margin specified in subsection 3 of this section within thirty days from the submission of an application. If an application for approval is particularly complicated or requires more work than usual, the Competition Authority may extend the term for processing the application to sixty days, while informing the applicant of the extension of the term before the initial term expires.

 (6) The term for processing an application specified in subsection 5 of this section shall be suspended if the Competition Authority has not received the information that it has requested and that is necessary for approving the application.

 (7) If the weighted average price of the gas sold during a calendar year exceeds the weighted average purchase price of gas for the same period, to which the sales margin specified in subsection 4 of this section has been added, the gas undertaking in a dominant position shall set off the difference in prices with the customer within three months and shall submit a corresponding report to the Competition Authority not later than by 1 May each year. The set-off shall be shown as a separate item in the gas sales invoice.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (8) If the Competition Authority so requires, a seller of gas shall provide explanations and reasons for the prices set.

 (9) A seller of gas shall publish the selling prices of gas and notify customers thereof not later than one month prior to the date as of which such prices will apply.
[RT I 2009, 34, 225 - entry into force 06.07.2009]

Division 3 Balance Responsibility 

§ 11.  Definitions related to balance responsibility

 (1) For the purposes of this Act, balance is equivalence between the quantity of gas agreed upon in a sales contract with a market participant and the quantity of gas consumed or resold by the market participant.

 (2) A balance provider is a market participant who has entered into a balance agreement with a system operator to maintain balance.

 (3) Balance agreement is an open supply contract entered into by the system operator and a balance provider pursuant to which the balance provider undertakes to ensure balance.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (31) Open supply is the sale by the system operator or the balance provider of gas to a market participant during the balance period within the limits of the amount provided in the contract, or the purchase of surplus gas.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (32) Fixed supply is the sale of an amount of gas to a market participant which has been agreed with the market participant for the balance period and of which the balance provider has been notified in advance.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (4) Balance responsibility is the obligation to ensure balance during each balance period.

 (5) Balance settlement is determination of balance during a balance period.

 (6) Balance period is a period during which balance is ensured.

 (7) Balancing gas is gas which, for the purposes of ensuring balance, is purchased or sold by the system operator on the basis of a balance agreement.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

§ 12.  Balance responsibility arrangements

 (1) Each market participant has balance responsibility.

 (2) A market participant is a balance provider if the participant has not delegated balance responsibility to a seller or another balance provider by contract. A household customer’s balance provider is the seller.

 (3) A balance provider shall make a balance settlement at the end of each balance period and shall forward the data necessary for a balance settlement to the system operator.

 (4) A balance agreement must stipulate the following: the consumption regime of the market participant, measures to be implemented to ensure security of supply, conditions of sale of balancing gas, implementation of metering systems and the metering necessary for ensuring the balance of the market participant and the gas system, the data to be transmitted to the system operator and the frequency with which such data are transmitted, as well as coverage of the expenses of ensuring the balance of the system (balance settlement).

 (5) A system operator shall develop standard terms and conditions for balance agreements and obtain approval for those terms and conditions from the Competition Authority.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (6) The balance period is a twenty-four hour day unless agreed otherwise.

 (7) If, on the basis of balance determination, the balance of a balance provider is negative, the system operator shall be deemed to have sold balancing gas to the balance provider during the period in the amount necessary to maintain the balance of the balance provider.

 (8) If, on the basis of balance determination, the balance of a balance provider is positive, the balance provider shall be deemed to have sold balancing gas to the system operator during the period in the amount necessary to maintain the balance of the balance provider.

 (9) The price of balancing gas shall be determined by the system operator after the end of a balance period in accordance with this Act and the balance agreement.

 (10) A system operator shall develop methods for the determination of the price of balancing gas and obtain approval for those methods from the Competition Authority.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (11) A system operator shall establish the price of balancing gas such that it enables the system operator to:
 1) cover any justified expenses incurred in the purchase of balancing gas;
 2) cover other justified expenses incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of balancing gas;
 3) ensure justified profitability.

 (12) A system operator shall elaborate standard terms and conditions for balance agreements and establish the price of balancing gas in accordance with the principles of equal treatment and transparency.

 (13) A system operator shall publish the methods for the determination of the price of balancing gas and the standard terms and conditions of a balance agreement on its website.

 (14) The calculation period which is the basis for money payments related to the balance is one calendar month unless agreed otherwise.

 (15) The Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications may issue regulations specifying the extent and content of the exchange of information relating to balance responsibility.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

§ 121.  Rights and obligations of balance provider

 (1) For the balancing gas that a balance provider sells to the system operator, the balance provider is entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Act and the balance agreement.

 (2) For the balancing gas sold to a balance provider by the system operator, the balance provider must pay in accordance with this Act and the balance agreement.

 (3) If the balance of a balance provider is out of balance, the balance provider is obligated, upon a request of the system operator, to demonstrate immediately how it intends to ensure balance. When required to do so by the system operator, the balance provider must commence activities that lead to the restoration of the balance.

 (4) A balance provider shall enter into gas supply contracts on terms which make it possible for the balance provider to ensure its balance at any time.

 (5) A balance provider shall determine the procedure pursuant to which it must be notified of all fixed supplies to a market participant whose balance is maintained by the balance provider pursuant to this Act.

 (6) A balance provider shall publish on its website the conditions for maintaining balance responsibility and the methods for determining the fee charged for balance deviations and shall provide information concerning those conditions and methods to anyone who requests it.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

Division 4 Gas System and System Responsibility 

§ 13.  Gas system

  For the purposes of this Act, the gas system is a technical system which comprises the networks located in Estonian territory together with the appropriate control, protection, communication and metering systems.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 14.  System responsibility

  System responsibility is the obligation of a system operator to ensure, at all times, the security of supply for and the balance of the gas system in accordance with the contracts entered into.

§ 15.  System operator

 (1) For the purposes of this Act, a system operator is a network operator who provides transmission services, or transmission and distribution services concurrently and who owns or operates metering systems on the national border.

 (2) System operators shall exercise the rights and perform the obligations arising from this Chapter in compliance with the principles of impartiality and equal treatment with respect to other gas undertakings and customers in the gas network.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 151.  Ensuring independence of system operators

 (1) The person in charge of managing a system operator may not at the same time be a member of the management board of another gas undertaking or be otherwise in charge of the everyday economic activities of another gas undertaking.

 (2) A system operator shall have the right to decide on the use of the assets necessary for maintaining and developing the network. This may not constitute an impediment to the functioning of the coordination mechanisms which ensure the right of the parent company to carry out economic and management oversight of the subsidiary.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (3) A system operator shall prepare and implement a plan that contains measures necessary to ensure equal treatment of other gas undertakings and customers and that sets out the obligations of employees of the network operator for implementing such measures. The system operator shall submit an annual report regarding implementation of the plan to the Competition Authority.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (4) The plan specified in subsection 3 of this section shall be prepared, its implementation shall be monitored and an annual report on measures taken to implement the plan shall be prepared by an employee designated by and directly reporting to a member of the management board of the network operator.

§ 16.  Obligations of system operators

 (1) In order to perform the obligations provided in section 14 of this Act, a system operator shall:
 1) ensure the security of supply for the gas system;
 2) plan and supervise the supply of gas in the gas system, the distribution of gas in the network, and the consumption of gas, taking into account the technical limitations of the gas system;
 21) comply with the requirements established for transmission system operators with respect to capacity allocation, congestion management, balancing, capacity trade, transparency and record keeping in Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 (OJ L 221, 14.08.2009, pp. 36–54);
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 22) ensure access to the transmission network for third parties pursuant to requirements established in Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 23) comply with the requirements established for transmission system operators established in Regulation (EC) No 994/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 24) cooperate within the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas both at regional and EU level in order to ensure efficient functioning of the market pursuant to the requirements established in Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 25) submit to the Competition Authority a plan of investments to implement the measures required for ensuring the infrastructure standard provided in Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 994/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council as of 3 December 2014, or demonstrate with relevant market measures that the infrastructure standard has been met;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 26) submit to the Competition Authority every second year the information described in Article 3 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 617/2010 concerning the notification to the Commission of investment projects in energy infrastructure within the European Union and repealing Regulation (EC) No 736/96 (OJ L 180, 15.07.2010, pp. 7–13) using the form given in Commission Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 833/2010 implementing Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 617/2010 (OJ L 248, 22.09.2010, pp. 36–56);
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 3) ensure cooperation with the gas systems of neighbouring states, taking into account the technical limitations of such systems in real time;
 4) determine, pursuant to this Act, legislation enacted on the basis thereof and agreements entered into by the system operator and balance provider, the balance of the gas system and the balance of the balance providers on the basis of information submitted to the system operator and purchase and sell balancing gas with the aim of ensuring the effective functioning of the gas market and the equitable division between the balance providers of expenses incurred in order to ensure the balance of the gas system;
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]
 41) on the basis of data relating to balance determination and other relevant data, submit invoices to the balance provider for each calculation period regarding the charges payable for the balancing gas purchased by the balance provider and any other charges payable to the system operator by virtue of legislation or contract and collect the sums payable by the balance provider on the basis of invoices;
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]
 42) on the basis of data relating to balance determination and other relevant data, calculate the amounts of balancing gas sold by a balance provider to the system operator during each calculation period and pay the balance provider for such amounts;
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]
 5) execute balance agreements;
 6) perform other duties arising from this Act.

 (2) When purchasing services needed to perform its obligations, a system operator shall use transparent procedures and conditions which do not discriminate between gas undertakings and do not contain unjustified limitations.

 (3) A system operator may not disclose confidential information received in the course of performing its obligations to third persons, unless the disclosure of such information is prescribed by law or the communication of the information is necessary order to perform obligations arising from this Act.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (31) A system operator must inform the Competition Authority of every planned transaction which may give rise to the need to review the undertaking’s conformity to the requirements listed in section 291 of this Act, or of any circumstances under which a person from a country other than a member state of the European Union (hereinafter ‘third country’) may acquire control of the transmission network or of a system operator.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (4) A system operator shall submit to the Competition Authority the information required for the preparation of reports on security of supply.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (5) The obligations of a system operator relating to provision of gas transmission services and determination of the fee charged for those transmission services are provided in Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (6) A system operator shall ensure that commercially advantageous information regarding its own activities is used in accordance with the principle of equal treatment.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

§ 17.  Rights of system operators

 (1) In order to perform its obligations, a system operator is entitled to demand that a balance provider increase or reduce gas supply in accordance with the balance agreement entered into.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (2) A system operator has the right to issue mandatory orders to market participants to limit or suspend the consumption of gas by customers if this is required to mitigate the effects of a supply disruption. Such an order must have as its foundation an agreement entered into with the consumer in which provision is made for limiting or suspending the consumption of gas, or a resolution of the Government of the Republic specified in section 262(22) of this Act.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (3) In order to fulfil its system responsibility, a system operator is entitled to impose technical restrictions on the use of gas systems.

 (4) A system operator is entitled to request information required for the performance of its obligations from all market participants and local authorities.

 (5) A system operator is entitled to demand that a balance provider comply with the requirements and perform the obligations provided in legislation or contracts and, in the event that such requirements are not complied with or such obligations are violated, the system operator has the right to refuse to enter into an agreement with the balance provider or to terminate the agreement or have recourse to other legal remedies prescribed by legislation or the agreement.

 (6) A system operator is entitled to require that the balance provider cover the costs related to balance settlement.

 (61) A system operator is entitled to purchase and sell balancing gas. An activity licence is not required for the import and sale of balancing gas.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (7) A system operator shall not compensate any damage or reimburse any expenses incurred as a result of the performance of orders specified in subsections 1–3 and 5 of this section, except in the case that the activities or orders of the system operator have been unlawful.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (8) The rights of the system operator relating to provision of gas transmission services and determination of the fee charged for the transmission services are provided for in Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 171.  Tasks of LNG terminal operators

 (1) An LNG terminal operator (hereinafter ‘terminal operator’) is an undertaking who owns a LNG terminal. An undertaking who owns an LNG terminal may appoint another undertaking to act as the terminal operator in its stead. The owner of the LNG terminal shall inform the Competition Authority of the appointment of a terminal operator.

 (2) The terminal operator shall perform the following tasks:
 1) maintain and develop the LNG terminal in order to meet service obligations;
 2) ensure third parties’ access to the terminal pursuant to requirements established in Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
 3) comply with the requirements established for terminal operators with respect to capacity allocation, congestion management, balancing, capacity trade, transparency and record keeping in Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
 4) observe the principle of equal treatment of market participants;
 5) provide the system operator, any other terminal operator and any other network operator with sufficient information to ensure that the transmission of gas takes place in a manner compatible with the secure and efficient operation of the interconnected system.

 (3) In providing information described in point 5 of subsection 2 of this section, the terminal operator may not misuse commercially sensitive information of the undertaking.

 (4) A terminal operator shall obtain approval from the Competition Authority for standard terms and conditions of the agreement on the use of the terminal and the methodology for calculating tariffs.

 (5) The tariffs for the use of the terminal shall be established such as to ensure that:
 1) the necessary operating expenses are covered;
 2) investments are made in order to perform operational and development obligations;
 3) environmental requirements are complied with;
 4) quality and safety requirements are complied with;
 5) justified profit is returned.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

Chapter 3 FUNCTIONING OF NETWORK 

§ 18.  Connection to network

 (1) For the purposes of this Act, connection to a network is the connection to the network of a consumer installation, a gas production facility, a network belonging to another network operator or of an LNG terminal.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (2) Within the technical limits of the network, a network operator is required to provide a network connection for all persons located within its network area who apply for a connection (hereinafter ‘connectee’) unless this endangers the security of supply for earlier connectees.

 (3) A network operator must provide reasons to any refusal of an application from a connectee in writing within thirty days as of the receipt of the application.

 (4) On the basis of an application from a connectee, the network operator shall issue the conditions for connection to the network (hereinafter ‘conditions of connection’).

 (5) The conditions of connection shall:
 1) be transparent and unambiguous;
 2) comply with the principle of equal treatment of similar connectees;
 3) take into consideration the technical and economic conditions of each particular connection;
 4) take into consideration the interests of network development and stability;
 5) take into consideration the technical capacity of the network.

 (6) The conditions of connection shall determine:
 1) the supply point;
 11) gas consumption regime at the point of supply;
 2) location of the metering system and type of metering instruments;
 3) the service boundary of the network;
 4) the obligations of the connectee and the network operator;
 5) an estimate of the connection fee;
 6) the term of validity of the conditions of connection;
 7) any other special conditions.

 (7) A connection fee shall not be collected upon replacement of a consumer installation connected to a network or in the event of a change of ownership of the consumer installation provided that the following conditions are met concurrently:
 1) connection to the existing consumer installation occurs such that the supply point remains unchanged;
 2) no application is made for a change in the combined usage capacity or consumption regime set out in the contract entered into by the former customer;
 3) technical conditions for connecting the connectee’s consumer installation continue to exist.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 181.  Gas pipeline crossing national border

 (1) Building a gas pipeline crossing the national border (hereinafter ‘interconnector’) is permitted only with the authorisation of the Government of the Republic.

 (2) The application for the authorisation described in subsection 1 of this section must set out the following:
 1) the name and address of the applicant;
 2) information regarding the location of the interconnector;
 3) technical parameters of the interconnector (pressure, capacity, diameter, length, etc.);
 4) planned time of construction;
 5) estimated cost of construction;
 6) reasons explaining the necessity of the interconnector;
 7) the results of environmental impact assessment.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 182.  Access of third parties to network

 (1) On the basis of a corresponding application, the Competition Authority may grant a temporary derogation regarding the access of third parties to a new interconnector which crosses the national border, including access to a significant increase in the capacity of an existing interconnector and access to an LNG terminal, in which case the application of the provisions of ss. 18, 23, 291 and 37(3)(20) of this Act may be forgone in respect of the gas undertaking or terminal operator.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (2) For the purpose of this Act, access to network by third parties means the right of a market participant to connect to the network or to use network services.

 (3) For the purposes of this Act, a new interconnector is an interconnector for the construction of which the authorisation specified in section 181 of this Act has been granted after 15 July 2003.

 (4) The Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications shall establish the list of particulars to be included in applications for a derogation and in the corresponding decisions of the Competition Authority.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 183.  Conditions for granting temporary derogation

 (1) A temporary derogation may be applied for if the new interconnector complies with the following requirements:
 1) the investment must increase competition in the area of gas supply and improve the reliability of supply;
 2) in consideration of the risk level related to the investment, the investment would not be made if the derogation was not granted;
 3) the owner of the interconnector must be a natural or legal person who operates, at least in terms of legal status, as an entity separate from the network operators to whose networks the interconnector is to be connected;
 4) fees are to be charged to the users of the interconnector;
 5) the temporary derogation does not restrict competition, effective operation of the internal gas market or the operation of a regulated network to which the interconnector is connected.

 (2) Upon application for temporary derogation in the case of a significant increase in the capacity of an existing interconnecter, the conditions specified in subsection 1 of this section must be observed and the increase in capacity must make it possible to utilise new sources of supply.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 19.  Conclusion of contract for connection to the network

 (1) In order to connect to a network, the owner of the consumer installation to be connected to the network or an authorised representative of the owner shall enter into a written contract with the network operator.

 (2) The contract shall, amongst other things, determine:
 1) the supply point;
 11) gas consumption regime at the supply point;
 2) location of metering system and type of metering instruments;
 3) the service boundary of the network;
 4) the connection fee;
 5) [Repealed – RT I 2005, 64, 483 – entry into force 11.12.2005]
 6) the term for performance of the contract.

 (21) The particulars specified in points 1‑3 of subsection 2 of this section is regarded to constitute the technical conditions for connection.

 (3) The Competition Authority has the right to scrutinise the justification of any refusal to provide a connection, any connection fee and the terms and conditions of connection contracts.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 20.  Calculation of connection fees

 (1) Network operators have the right to collect justified connection fees from connectees.

 (2) The basis for calculating the connection fee is the ensuring of the coverage of justified expenses for the connection, including:
 1) investments, including construction of the metering system;
 2) compliance with environmental requirements;
 3) compliance with quality and safety requirements.

 (3) The connection fee shall be calculated by the network operator based on the methodology for calculating connection fees.

 (31) A network operator shall obtain the approval of the Competition Authority for the methodology of calculating connection fees.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (4) If the technical conditions of the connection at the supply point are modified on the initiative of the network operator, the costs involved shall be borne by the network operator.

 (5) A network operator may charge a justified fee for a modification of the technical conditions of gas consumption if the modification is initiated by the consumer or another gas undertaking.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 21.  Licensed territory of network operators

 (1) A network operator shall define its network area.

 (2) A network operator may have several network areas which together constitute the licensed territory specified in the activity licence of the network operator.

 (3) The licensed territories of different network operators may overlap.

 (4) When several network operators agree to make reciprocal changes to their respective licensed territories, the whole area in which the operators operate should remain covered by their licensed territories after the changes.

 (5) Network operators shall notify the Competition Authority of making reciprocal changes to their respective licensed territories in accordance with subsection 4 of this section and shall annex to the notice the agreement they have concluded concerning the division of their activities and obligations.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 211.  Planning and construction of network

 (1) The requirements for planning and construction of construction works shall apply to the planning and construction of networks.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

§ 212.  Network development plan

 (1) After consulting with market participants, a system operator shall prepare a ten-year plan for network development (hereinafter ‘network development plan’) and submit it for approval to the Competition Authority.

 (2) In preparing the network development plan, a system operator shall have regard to existing and estimated future demand, having regard to investment plans for regional and Europe-wide networks, as well as investment plans for LNG terminals.

 (3) A network development plan shall contain measures in order to guarantee the adequacy of the system and the security of supply for the next ten years. The development plan shall set out, in particular:
 1) the plan for building or upgrading principal transmission infrastructure;
 2) the technical parameters of planned investment projects;
 3) a time frame for the investment projects.

 (4) A system operator shall submit to the Competition Authority a report on the progress made in implementing the network development plan and on eventual changes in the plan by 3 March each year, amending the development plan with particulars in respect of the investments to be made during the following three years.

 (5) A system operator shall publish the network development plan on its website.

 (6) The Competition Authority shall monitor and assess the investments made in order to implement a network development plan as regards their consistency with the Europe-wide network development plan and present its assessment regarding the investment plans of the system operator in its annual report. Such assessment may include recommendations to amend those investment plans.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 22.  Rights and obligations of network operators
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (1) A network operator is obligated to ensure that any person who has a network connection is supplied with gas in accordance with this Act, the conditions of the activity licence and the contract entered into.

 (11) If the network operator itself is not a seller, the operator shall appoint a seller in its network area, provided there are no other gas sellers in the area from whom customers could purchase gas.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (2) A network operator is responsible for the functioning and maintenance of the network which it owns or possesses.

 (3) A network operator is required to develop the network in a manner which ensures that all consumer installations located within its network area are connected to the network.

 (4) [Repealed – RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 – entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (41) A network operator shall publish the quality parameters of gas on its website, including the higher and lower calorific value of gas.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (5) A network operator is required to provide other network operators with the necessary information to ensure the distribution and sale of gas in a manner which enables interconnected networks to be used securely and effectively.

 (51) A network operator shall not disclose confidential information received in the course of performing its obligations to third persons, unless the disclosure of such information is prescribed by law or communication of the information is necessary in order to perform obligations arising from this Act.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (6) A network operator may terminate its activities only if it transfers to another network operator the obligations incumbent upon itself by virtue of this section.

 (7) A network operator shall give the Competition Authority at least a twelve months’ written notice regarding termination of its activities, specifying the date and schedule for termination, and provide a sufficiently detailed overview of the circumstances which guarantee that the requirements provided in this section are met.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (8) The network operator specified in subsection 81(2) of this Act is obligated to comply with the requirements provided in section 151.

 (9) A network operator shall observe the principle of equal treatment of market participants when providing network services.

 (10) A network operator is entitled to refuse provision of network services if:
 1) the gas installation of the user of network services does not conform to the requirements specified in legislation or to the technical conditions established by the network operator for connecting to the network;
 2) the network lacks the capacity necessary for the provision of network services.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (11) A network operator shall provide reasons for any refusal to provide network services. The legal basis for refusal shall be indicated in the reasons for refusal. The network operator shall notify the Competition Authority of its refusal to provide network services on the basis of point 2 of subsection 10 of this section.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (12) A network operator shall publish on its website the services offered by the operator together with the conditions of their provision and the fees charged for each service or the methodology of calculation of the fees.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (13) A network operator is obligated to submit the metering data required for determining the balance to the balance provider and the system operator.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (14) A network operator shall ensure that the commercially advantageous information regarding its own activities is used in accordance with the principle of equal treatment.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (15) Network operators who have over 10,000 consumers connected to their distribution networks and who provide transmission services are providers of a service of vital importance as specified in section 34(2)(2) of the Emergency Act.
[RT I 2009, 39, 262 - entry into force 24.07.2009]

§ 23.  Network service and price thereof

 (1) For the purposes of this Act, a network service is the provision of gas transmission service or gas distribution service through a gas network.

 (2) The prices for network services must ensure a smooth supply of gas to customers and be justified accordingly on the basis of expenditure required for the operation and development of the network, the reliability of the network and the security of supply, the metering of the gas distributed through the network, the calculation and communication of meter readings and the return of justified profit.

 (3) The price of network services shall be established such as to ensure that:
 1) the necessary operating expenses are covered;
 2) investments are made in order to perform operational and development obligations;
 3) environmental requirements are complied with;
 4) quality and safety requirements are complied with;
 5) justified profit is returned on the capital invested by the undertaking.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (31) Justified profit referred to under point 5 of subsection 5 of this section shall be calculated on the basis of the capital invested by the undertaking and the weighted average cost of capital.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (4) A network operator shall submit the prices of network services and the grounds for establishing such prices to the Competition Authority for approval, except in the case of the transit of gas, and shall, at the request of the Competition Authority, provide reasons for the prices set.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (41) The Competition Authority shall develop uniform methods for calculating the prices of network services, taking account of the requirements set out in sections 23 and 232 of this Act.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (42) The Competition Authority shall publish uniform methods for calculating the prices of network services and shall rely on such methods when approving the price of a network service.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (5) The Competition Authority shall consider the applications for the establishment of prices provided in subsection 4 of this section in accordance with the procedure provided in subsections 5 and 6 of section 10 of this Act.
[RT I 2009, 34, 225 - entry into force 06.07.2009]

 (6) A network operator shall publish the approved prices for its licensed territory and inform the consumers in its licensed territory thereof at least three months prior to the date as of which such prices come into effect.
[RT I 2009, 34, 225 - entry into force 06.07.2009]

§ 231.  Contract for provision of network services

 (1) To provide network services, the network operator shall enter into a contract for the provision of network services (hereinafter ‘network contract’) with the market participant who applied for the use of the network.

 (2) A network operator may enter into separate network contracts with a market participant in order to provide different network services.

 (3) A network operator shall obtain approval from the Competition Authority for standard terms and conditions of network contracts.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (4) The Competition Authority shall not grant its approval to standard terms and conditions of a network contract if the content thereof does not correspond to the balance of rights and obligations of the user of the network service on the basis of which the Competition Authority granted its approval of the price of the network service.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (5) The parties may agree to derogate from the standard terms and conditions of network contracts.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

§ 232.  Principles for calculating the price of network service

 (1) The calculation of the price of a network service shall be based on the average (arithmetic mean) amount of sales during the last three calendar years. If necessary, further analysis shall be conducted in order to determine the amount of sales.

 (2) The calculation of the price shall not include the following expense items:
 1) expenses related to monetary claims unlikely to be collected;
 2) sponsorships, gifts and donations;
 3) expenses unrelated to principal activities;
 4) fines and late interest charged on the basis of legislation;
 5) finance expenses;
 6) expenses related to income tax charged on dividend payments;
 7) other expenses not required for the performance of duties imposed on the undertaking by law.

 (3) The expenses included in the price calculation must be justified, and must be based on cost efficiency and allow the undertaking to carry out the tasks prescribed by law. The following principles shall be observed in assessing justified operational expenses:
 1) observation of the dynamic of expenses in time and its comparison with the dynamics of the consumer price index;
 2) detailed analysis (including expert assessments) of the justifiability of different expense components;
 3) comparison of the undertaking’s expenses and of the statistical parameters calculated on their basis with the expenses of other similar undertakings.

 (4) The calculation of justified profitability and depreciation of fixed assets included in the price calculation shall be based on the fixed assets required for the provision of network service.

 (5) The fixed assets shall not include:
 1) long-term financial investments;
 2) intangible assets, except for software licences;
 3) fixed assets acquired with grant aid (including targeted funding);
 4) fixed assets acquired with funds obtained from connection fees;
 5) fixed assets which the undertaking does not use for the purpose of providing network service.

 (6) The value of fixed assets shall be accounted on a continuing basis and shall continue to be accounted also when the ownership of the undertaking or of the assets changes.

 (7) The calculation of justified profitability shall be based on the principle according to which the value of the fixed assets required for the provision of network service, plus the amount of working capital, is multiplied by the weighted average cost of capital.

 (8) The amount of the working capital referred to under subsection 7 of this section shall be five per cent of the average (arithmetic mean) turnover of the last three calendar years. If necessary, a further analysis shall be conducted in order to determine the amount of the working capital.

 (9) The calculation of the depreciation charge for fixed assets shall be based on the value of the fixed assets required for the provision of network service and the rate of depreciation which corresponds to the technical useful life of the fixed assets.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 24.  Metering and installation of metering systems

 (1) A network operator shall ensure the metering of all quantities of gas consumed from the network and the collection and processing of meter readings and shall keep relevant records.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (11) The network operator shall convert the metered amounts of gas into units of energy. The energy units to be used shall be kilowatt hours (kWh).
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (12) The methodology for converting the metered amounts of gas into units of energy shall be established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications in a regulation.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (2) [Repealed – RT 1 2005, 64, 483 – entry into force 11.12.2005]

 (3) Metering systems in a network which is in the possession of a network operator shall be installed by that network operator at its own expense, unless otherwise stipulated in the contract, and those metering systems shall conform to design documentation, be as close as possible to the point of consumption of gas and be supplemented with the necessary auxiliary equipment.

 (4) If the existing metering system of a customer does not comply with the technical requirements established, the network operator shall replace the metering system at its own expense, unless otherwise stipulated in the contract.

 (5) If the customer wishes to change the capacity of the consumer installation, the network operator shall replace or reset the metering system and any equipment which limits usage capacity. The customer shall cover the expenses of the resetting.

§ 25.  Illegal use

 (1) The use of gas or network services is illegal if there is no legal basis for such use or if requirements arising from this Act are infringed, in particular in the case of:
 1) concealing or reducing of the actual amount consumed by way of damaging the meters, tampering with readings, or damaging the metering systems, parts thereof or stop valves;
 2) consumption from an unmetered connection without the permission of the gas undertaking;
 3) consumption without a valid written contract.

 (2) When the gas undertaking and the customer have not entered into a written contract, yet the gas undertaking regularly submits invoices to the customer for gas consumed and the customer pays those invoices in a timely manner, this shall not be deemed a case of illegal use specified in point 3 of subsection 1 of this section.

 (3) In addition to the cost of illegally used gas and network services, a market participant shall compensate the network operator and the seller for any harm caused by the illegal use of gas and network services and shall reimburse them for any reasonable expenses incurred in determining the extent of such harm.

 (4) The principles for determining the amount of gas and network services used illegally and the cost thereof shall be established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

§ 26.  Interruption and resumption of gas supply

 (1) If there is danger to the life, health or property of persons or to the environment, a network operator has the right to interrupt a network connection without giving advance notice thereof to the customer.

 (2) A network operator has the right to interrupt a network connection immediately after it is established that illegal use of gas has taken place.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

 (3) After giving at least seven days’ notice, a network operator is entitled to interrupt the supply of gas in the following cases:
 1) a consumer installation adversely affects the supply of gas to another customer or the technical parameters of the network;
 2) the network operator is prevented from accessing a metering system located within premises owned or occupied by a customer in order to inspect or replace the system or to perform any work which is necessary for the consumer installation to operate;
 3) contracts entered into on the basis of this Act or terms and conditions provided for by this Act have been infringed.

 (31) If a household customer has failed to pay the amount payable according to the contract entered into with the seller and the household customer uses gas for heating a dwelling used as a permanent residence, the supply of gas may be interrupted during the period from 1 October to 30 April only when forty-five days have passed since the receipt of the notice specified in subsection 4 of this section.
[RT I 2009, 34, 225 - entry into force 06.07.2009]

 (4) Before the supply of gas is interrupted in the cases provided in subsection 3 of this section, the network operator shall give the customer reasonable time to eliminate the defects and shall notify the customer of the pending interruption in writing. The notice shall set out:
 1) the reason for interruption of the supply of gas;
 2) the time for elimination of the defects.

 (5) A network connection or gas supply interrupted for the reasons provided in subsection 3 of this section shall be restored after the customer has paid the justified costs of interruption and reconnection, provided the contract has not been terminated.

§ 261.  Minimum requirements for security of supply

 (1) In ensuring the security of supply in the case of a supply disruption the requirements established in Regulation (EC) No 994/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council must be followed.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (2) The protected customers in respect of whom the supply standard stipulated in Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 994/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council applies include:
 1) household consumers whose consumer installation is connected to a gas distribution network;
 2) undertakings who produce heat for heating dwellings and for who it is impossible to use any fuel other than gas.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (3) [Repealed – RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 – entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (4) [Repealed – RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 – entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (5) The consecutive duration of an interruption of gas supply caused by failures may not exceed 72 hours and the total duration of interruptions per year may not exceed 130 hours. The network operator shall maintain records of the duration of interruptions.
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]

§ 262.  Maintaining security of supply

 (1) If the system operator has reliable information that an event may take place which could to a significant extent adversely affect the supply situation or that a supply disruption has already taken place, the system operator shall notify the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and the Competition Authority of the event or the disruption and of the market measures implemented by the system operator.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (2) The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications shall analyse together with the Competition Authority the information received and the market measures implemented by the system operator. If the analysis reveals that for the purpose of ensuring security of supply it is necessary to implement any of the measures of compulsory reduction of gas demand listed in subsection 3 of this section, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications shall communicate this to the crisis committee of the Government of the Republic and then make a proposal to the Government of the Republic to allow the implementation of the measures of compulsory reduction of gas demand named in the plan of measures required to eliminate the supply disruption referred to under section 262(1) or to alleviate the effects of such disruption.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (21) If the European Commission decides to implement measures to ensure the security of supply in the entire European Union or in a specific region of the European Union, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications shall communicate this to the crisis committee of the Government of the Republic and shall then, if necessary, make a proposal to the Government of the Republic to allow the implementation of the measures of compulsory reduction of gas demand.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (22) The resolution of the Government of the Republic must set out:
 1) the reason for implementing the measures;
 2) the expected duration in days of the period when the measures are in effect;
 3) the list of the measures to be implemented.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (3) In the case specified in subsection 2 of this section, the following measures may be implemented:
 1) reduction of the supply of gas to persons who use gas for purposes other than production of heat;
 2) authorisation of reduction of the supply of gas to undertakings producing heat;
 3) authorisation of a reduction in the temperature of the water released for the heating of residential buildings;
 4) obligating the undertakings producing heat to use reserve fuel.

 (4) The Competition Authority shall promptly inform the European Commission of any situation described in subsection 1 of this section and of the measures implemented to resolve the situation.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (41) When the security of supply has been reestablished, the system operator notifies this to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and the Competition Authority. The Ministry notifies the situation to the Government of the Republic and its Crisis Committee.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 – entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (5) [Repealed – RT I 2009, 39, 262 – entry into force 24.07.2009]

 (6) [Repealed – RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 – entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (7) Supervision over maintaining the security of supply shall be exercised by the Competition Authority who shall prepare and publish an annual report on the situation of security of supply each year.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 263.  Plans for ensuring security of supply

 (1) The Competition Authority shall submit a plan for coping with supply disruptions and the preventive action plan specified in Regulation (EC) No 994/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council for reducing the risks affecting the security of gas supply to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

 (2) The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications shall, after obtaining the endorsement of the crisis committee of the Government of the Republic, approve, by directive, the plans referred to under subsection 1 of this section.

 (3) The Competition Authority shall publish the plans referred to under subsection 1 of this section on its website in the extent that preserves the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

Chapter 4 OPERATION ON THE BASIS OF ACTIVITY LICENCE 

§ 27.  Granting the right to operate

 (1) An activity licence granted by the Competition Authority to an undertaking constitutes authorisation to operate in an area of activity specified in subsection 2 of this section.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (2) An activity licence is required in the following areas of activity:
 1) import of gas;
 2) sale of gas;
 3) provision of gas transmission services;
 31) provision of gas distribution services;
 4) [repealed – RT I 2005, 64, 483 – entry into force 11.12.2005]

 (3) A person who sells gas solely to its members, commercial lessees or tenants does not need to apply for an activity licence specified in subsection 2 of this section provided that the sale of gas is not the principal activity of the person and that gas is sold only within one immovable, or within a construction work which is a movable and the land necessary for servicing that construction work.

 (4) An undertaking may have several activity licences authorising the undertaking to operate in several of the areas of activity specified in points 1-31 of subsection 2 of this section unless operating in several areas of activity at the same time is prohibited by this Act.

 (5) The right to engage in an activity specified in the activity licence is granted exclusively to the holder of the licence. An activity licence cannot be transferred to another undertaking.

 (6) A state fee for the licence and for any amendment of the licence at the initiative of the holder of the licence shall be paid pursuant to the procedure and according to the rate provided in the State Fees Act.
[RT I 2006, 58, 439 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 28.  Requirements in respect of company type and share capital

 (1) A private limited company or public limited company which has been entered in the Commercial Register or which is in the process of being incorporated may apply for an activity licence to operate in an area of activity specified in section 27(2) of this Act, provided that the company possesses the technical capability and employs personnel with the requisite skills for pursuing the activity stated in the application and that its operations comply with environmental protection and occupational safety requirements and other requirements prescribed by legislation.

 (2) The share capital of a network operator, except for an undertaking providing gas transmission services, must amount to at least 31,950 euros.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (3) The share capital of an undertaking that provides gas transmission services must amount to at least 128,000 euros.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 29.  Application for activity licence

 (1) In order to obtain an activity licence, the undertaking applying for an activity licence (hereinafter ‘applicant’) shall submit to the Competition Authority an application which contains the following information:
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]
 1) the name of the undertaking;
 2) the address of the seat of business and the number of a means of telecommunication of the undertaking;
 3) the registration number in the Commercial Register, except for a company which is in the process of being incorporated;
 4) the licensed territory applied for, except in the case of areas of activity specified in points 1 and 2 of subsection 2 of section 27 of this Act;
 5) the activity provided in section 27(2) of this Act in respect of which the application for activity licence has been submitted, and a description of the planned activity;
 6) the date of submission of the application for activity licence, and the name, position title and number of the means of telecommunication of the person who signed the application.

 (2) The applicant shall annex the following to an application specified in subsection 1 of this section:
 1) in the case that the activity licence applied for concerns the import of gas through a network, a declaration from the system operator that, in view of the technical capacity of the system, the transmission and distribution of gas is permissible and does not jeopardise the security of supply;
 2) layout plans and description of the networks located within the licensed territory, except in the case of the activities specified in points 1 and 2 of subsection 2 of section 27 of this Act;
 3) information showing compliance of the applicant and of the activity applied for with the conditions and requirements provided in this Act and in legislation enacted on its basis.

 (3) If the Competition Authority so requires, the applicant must provide evidence concerning compliance of the applicant and the activity applied for with all the conditions and requirements provided in this Act and the legislation established on its basis.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 291.  Management of undertakings providing gas transmission services

 (1) A person having direct or indirect control over an undertaking which provides gas transmission services may not have direct or indirect control over or exercise any other rights in respect of an undertaking which produces or sells gas or electricity. A person having direct or indirect control over an undertaking which produces or sells gas may not have direct or indirect control over or exercise any other rights in respect of an undertaking which provides gas transmission services or in respect of a transmission network operator of a power system.

 (2) In this section and in sections 16 and 294, ‘control’ means a right or a contract which makes it possible to exert significant influence on the undertaking by means of ownership or by means of a right to use a part or the entirety of the assets of the undertaking, or which allows influence over membership of the management bodies of the undertaking or of the voting or decision-making process in those management bodies.

 (3) The person who appoints members of the supervisory or management board of an undertaking which produces or sells gas may not appoint members of the supervisory or management board of an undertaking which provides gas transmission services or members of a body that legally represents such an undertaking. The person who appoints members of the supervisory or management board of an undertaking which provides gas transmission services may not appoint members of the supervisory or management board of an undertaking which produces or sells gas or members of a body that legally represents such an undertaking.

 (4) A member of the supervisory or management board of an undertaking which provides gas transmission services may not be a member of the supervisory or management board of an undertaking which produces or sells gas or a member of a body that legally represents such an undertaking.

 (5) If the person referred to in subsections 1 and 3 of this section is the government, the undertaking which provides gas transmission services may not be controlled by the same government agency that controls an undertaking producing or selling gas.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 292.  Scrutiny before acquisition of gas transmission network

 (1) An undertaking who wishes to acquire a gas transmission network shall apply before the acquisition of the gas transmission network for an assessment of its conformity to the government’s internal security. The application shall be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior.

 (2) The Ministry of the Interior assesses potential dangers of the acquisition of the gas transmission network to the internal security of the nation on the basis of the principles of internal security policy of the Republic of Estonia.

 (3) The Ministry of the Interior may request other state agencies, third parties and the applying undertaking to submit documents and information necessary for carrying out the assessment. The Ministry of the Interior performs the scrutiny and makes a substantiated decision within 90 days as of the submission of the application by the undertaking or as of the receipt of additional documents and information.

 (4) The decision shall state a positive or negative view in respect of the applicant’s conformity to the internal security of the government in the event of acquisition of the gas transmission network. The decision shall be binding to the owner of the gas transmission network, the person who is to decide or approve the sale of the gas transmission network and the undertaking wishing to purchase the gas transmission network.

 (5) The decision shall state the negative view if:
 1) the acquisition of the gas transmission network by the undertaking which applied for the scrutiny may endanger the internal security of the nation;
 2) the applicant has failed to submit by the deadline established by the Ministry of the Interior the documents and information requested on the basis of subsection 3 of this section;
 3) the documents and information submitted by the applicant are inaccurate, misleading or false;

 (6) A transaction regarding the acquisition of a gas transmission network entered into with a person who has failed to pass the scrutiny specified in this section shall be void.

 (7) The decision shall be transmitted to the applicant and the owner of the gas transmission network within three days after it is made.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 293.  Assessment of compliance of undertakings providing gas transmission services with established requirements

 (1) The Competition Authority shall initiate the procedure of assessment of compliance with established requirements of an undertaking which provides gas transmission services in respect of the person who has applied for an activity licence to provide gas transmission services.

 (2) The Competition Authority shall asses the compliance of the person named in subsection 1 of this section with the requirements specified in section 291 of this Act in accordance with this section and Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

 (3) The person who has applied for an activity licence to provide gas transmission services shall inform the Competition Authority of every planned transaction which may give rise to the need to perform a new assessment of compliance of the undertaking with the requirements established in section 291 of this Act.

 (4) In the course of the assessment of compliance of an undertaking providing gas transmission services with established requirements the Competition Authority may request from the undertaking information which is required for carrying out the tasks specified in this section.

 (5) The Competition Authority shall prepare a draft decision regarding the assessment of compliance with established requirements within four months as of receipt of application for activity licence or as of receipt of requested information and shall immediately transmit the draft decision together with the relevant information to the European Commission in order to obtain the opinion of the latter.

 (6) The Competition Authority shall make a decision regarding the assessment of compliance with established requirements within two months as of receipt of the opinion of the European Commission or within four months as of the request of the Commission’s opinion. When making its decision the Competition Authority shall take the Commission’s opinion into account to the greatest extent possible.

 (7) The Competition Authority shall publish its decision in the Official Journal of the European Union. If the decision of the Competition Authority differs from the opinion of the European Commission, the Competition Authority shall publish its decision in the Official Journal together with the reasons for the decision and the opinion of the European Commission.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 294.  Assessment of compliance with established requirements of undertakings which provide gas transmission services and which are associated with persons from third countries

 (1) If the owner of a transmission network or a system operator is controlled by a person or persons from third countries, and if such owner or operator applies for an activity licence to provide gas transmission services, the Competition Authority shall immediately notify this to the European Commission. The Competition Authority shall also immediately inform the European Commission of the circumstances which allow the person from a third country to acquire control of the transmission network or of the undertaking providing gas transmission services.

 (2) The person referred to in subsection 1 of this section must prove that its activities or the activities of those who control that person do not jeopardise the security of supply of the Republic of Estonia or the European Union.

 (3) In assessing the security of supply referred to in subsection 2 of this section, the Competition Authority shall take into account:
 1) the rights and obligations which the European Union has in respect of the relevant third country and which emanate from international law, including security of supply agreements entered into with one or more third countries and which the European Union is a party to;
 2) the rights and obligations which the Republic of Estonia has in respect of the relevant third country and which emanate from the agreements entered into with the third country as long as they do not conflict with the law of the European Union;
 3) other circumstances related to the assessment of compliance with established requirements and to the relevant third country.

 (4) The Competition Authority has the right to make a negative decision in respect of compliance of an undertaking which provides gas transmission services if it may jeopardise the security of supply of the Republic of Estonia or the European Union.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 30.  Decision on issue of activity licence

 (1) The Competition Authority shall decide to issue or refuse to issue an activity licence on the basis of the application submitted by the applicant and of additional information annexed to the application at the request of the Competition Authority, and shall base its decision on the provisions of this Act and the legislation established on its basis in accordance with the principles of objectivity, transparency and equal treatment.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (2) The Competition Authority shall make a reasoned decision in respect of issuing or refusing to issue an activity licence within sixty days as of receipt of the corresponding application drawn up in compliance with the requirements of this Act, and of all documents that must be annexed thereto as well as of any additional information which the Competition Authority may require the applicant to submit pursuant to this Act.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (3) An applicant for an activity licence shall be notified of the decision regarding the issue of the activity licence within three working days as of the date on which the corresponding decision is made.

 (4) The Competition Authority shall enter the particulars specified in section 32(1) of this Act in the Register of Economic Activities (hereinafter ‘the register’) within three working days as of the date on which the relevant decision is made. The publication of this information is subject to the provisions of the Register of Economic Activities Act.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 301.  Granting the activity licence to provide gas transmission services

 (1) The activity licence to provide gas transmission services shall be granted to a person who owns the gas transmission network, who owns or operates metering systems on the national border, who complies with the requirements specified in sections 291 and 294 and fulfils the conditions specified in section 29 of this Act.

 (2) The activity licence to provide gas transmission services may be granted to one network operator only.

 (3) The decision in respect of issuing or refusing to issue the activity licence to provide gas transmission services shall be made within ten months as of receipt of the application specified in section 293(1) and of the information demonstrating compliance with the requirements established in this Act. Reasons must be provided for the decision.

 (4) The Competition Authority shall inform the European Commission of the decision to grant an activity licence to provide gas transmission services and of appointing the holder of the activity licence as the system operator and shall publish the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 31.  Refusal to issue activity licence

 (1) The Competition Authority may refuse to issue the activity licence if:
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]
 1) the applicant fails to submit the information required pursuant to this Act, or submits misleading or inaccurate information or false documents;
 2) the applicant does not meet the requirements established for undertakings in this Act or in the legislation enacted on its basis, or lacks the required economic and organisational prerequisites and conditions to engage in the activity in respect of which the applicant seeks an activity licence;
 3) the activity specified in the application is not in accordance with the requirements of this Act or the legislation enacted on its basis;
 4) there is reasonable doubt as to whether the applicant will be able to perform the obligations provided in legislation or to meet the conditions established in the activity licence;
 5) the issue of the activity licence would be in conflict with the objectives established in this Act;
 6) another activity licence previously issued to the applicant pursuant to this Act has been revoked for a reason other than that provided in section 35(2) of this Act within a period of three years before the submission of the application for a new activity licence;
 7) the applicant has been convicted of operating without an activity licence in a field of activity for which an activity licence is required pursuant to this Act and the terms specified in section 25 of the Punishment Register Act have not expired;
 8) compulsory dissolution has been imposed on the applicant for an offence and a court judgment to this effect has become final;
 9) the state fee payable by the applicant for the issue of the activity licence has not been paid.

 (2) A reasoned written notice concerning refusal to issue the activity licence shall be sent to the applicant within three working days as of the date on which the corresponding decision is made.

 (3) Before deciding to refuse to issue an activity licence, the Competition Authority shall grant the applicant reasonable time to eliminate the circumstances preventing the issue of the licence. The Competition Authority shall inform the applicant of the grant of further time, and shall identify the circumstances that prevent the issue of the licence and shall set a date by which they must be eliminated.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 32.  Information set out in activity licence and conditions of activity licence

 (1) The decision to issue an activity licence shall contain at least the following particulars:
 1) the date of issue of the activity licence;
 2) the business name, registration number in the Commercial Register, the address of the seat of business and the number of the means of telecommunication of the recipient of the activity licence;
 3) the area of activity provided in section 27(2) of this Act for which the activity licence is issued;
 4) the licensed territory, except in the case of areas of activity specified in points 1 and 2 of section 27(2) of this Act;
 5) the conditions of the activity licence.

 (2) The conditions of an activity licence established by the Competition Authority in its decision to issue the activity licence which the undertaking holding the activity licence is obligated to observe constitute an integral part of the activity licence.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (3) The decision to issue an activity licence shall set out the following as licence conditions:
 1) the requirements for the import of gas set by the system operator pursuant to the provisions of section 29(2)(1) of this Act in consideration of the technical capacity and security of supply of the gas system;
 2) the development obligation in accordance with section 22 of this Act;
 3) other conditions, if this is necessary in order to ensure security of supply or the performance of obligations or in order to achieve any objectives arising from this Act or the legislation enacted on its basis or in order to take into consideration the particular character of a specific activity.

 (4) The conditions of an activity licence shall enter into force together with the activity licence or on a date established by the Competition Authority.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (5) An undertaking which is unable, for any reason, to comply with the conditions of the activity licence or to perform the obligations provided in this Act must immediately give written notice thereof to the Competition Authority, identifying the conditions which it is unable to comply with or the duties or obligations which it is unable to perform and the reasons that underlie its inability to do so, and, if possible, shall request that the conditions of the activity licence be amended.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 33.  Amending information entered in the activity licence and the licence conditions

 (1) An undertaking is required to inform the Competition Authority immediately of any changes to the information specified in section 32(1)(2) of this Act.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (2) The Competition Authority may amend the licensed territory and the licence conditions after it has issued the activity licence on the basis of a reasoned written request by the corresponding gas undertaking, and may amend the conditions of the activity licence on its own initiative or may add new conditions, observing the provisions of this Act and the principles of equal treatment and free competition.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (3) The Competition Authority shall enter updated information in the register within three working days from receipt of such information or from the making of the corresponding decision.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 34.  Validity of activity licence

 (1) An activity licence enters into force on the day following the day on which the decision to issue the activity licence is made or on the date provided in the decision. An activity licence issued to a company which is in the process of being incorporated enters into force on the date on which the applicant is entered in the Commercial Register or on the day following the day on which the decision to issue the activity licence is made, whichever is the later.

 (2) An activity licence expires in the case of:
 1) revocation of the activity licence;
 2) dissolution of the holder of the licence.

 (3) An activity licence does not expire upon the merger, division or reorganisation of the gas undertaking.

 (4) In the event of a merger, the activity licence issued pursuant to this Act to the company being acquired remains valid and continues to have the same conditions with regard to the new company, and is deemed to be the activity licence of the acquiring company. In the event of a merger as a result of which a new company is incorporated, the activity licence issued pursuant to this Act to the merging company remains valid and continues to have the same conditions with regard to the new company, and is deemed to be the activity licence of the company in the process of being incorporated.

 (5) In the event of division, the activity licence issued pursuant to this Act to the company which is being divided remains valid and continues to have the same conditions with regard to the new company, and is deemed to be the activity licence of the recipient company insofar as the assets transferred to or entrusted for administration to the recipient company are used for the activity conducted on the basis of the activity licence. If necessary, the company being divided and the recipient company must request the amendment of the conditions of the activity licence.

 (6) In the event of reorganisation, the activity licence issued pursuant to this Act to the company being reorganised remains valid and continues to have the same conditions with regard to the new company, and is deemed to be the activity licence of the new company.

 (7) In the cases specified in subsections 4–6 of this section, the Competition Authority shall at the request of the former or the new holder of the activity licence make a decision by which the information entered in the corresponding activity licence is updated and the licence conditions are amended.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (8) The provisions of subsections 4–6 of this section do not affect the right of the Competition Authority to revoke activity licences on the grounds provided in this Act.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 35.  Revocation of activity licence

 (1) The Competition Authority may revoke an activity licence if:
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 – entry into force 01.01.2008]:
 1) it becomes evident that, upon applying for the activity licence, the applicant knowingly submitted misleading or inaccurate information or false documents;
 2) it becomes evident that the holder of the activity licence does not meet the requirements established for gas undertakings by this Act or the legislation enacted on its basis, or lacks the required economic and organisational prerequisites and conditions for the activity for which the activity licence has been granted;
 3) the activity of the holder of the activity licence does not comply with the requirements provided in this Act or the legislation enacted on its basis;
 4) the holder of the activity licence fails to perform the obligations provided in this Act or the legislation enacted on its basis, or fails to fulfil the conditions of the activity licence;
 5) the holder of the activity licence unlawfully transfers rights arising from the activity licence to a third party;
 6) compulsory dissolution has been imposed on the holder of the licence as a result of its having committed an offence and a court judgment to this effect has become final;
 7) the holder of the activity licence has repeatedly violated tax laws;
 8) it becomes evident that circumstances exist which, pursuant to this Act, constitute grounds for refusal to grant an activity licence;
 9) the holder of the activity licence has not commenced the activity specified in the activity licence within twelve months as of the issue of the activity licence, or has terminated such an activity during the term of validity of the activity licence.

 (2) The Competition Authority may revoke an activity licence at the request of the holder of the activity licence, unless otherwise provided in this Act.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (3) If the circumstances underlying the revocation of an activity licence as provided in subsection 1 of this section can be eliminated, the Competition Authority shall grant the holder of the licence reasonable time to eliminate the circumstances underlying the revocation.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (4) The Competition Authority shall communicate the decision to revoke an activity licence to the holder of the activity licence and remove the corresponding information concerning the undertaking from the register within three working days after the date on which the decision to revoke the activity licence was made.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 36.  Obligation to continue activity

 (1) If an activity licence expires or the Competition Authority revokes an activity licence, the Competition Authority shall, where necessary, decide on the measures which must be applied in order to ensure continuation of the activity carried out on the basis of the activity licence and the preservation of the assets needed to continue such activity.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (2) Upon expiry of an activity licence or in the event of revocation of an activity licence, the holder of the activity licence shall, if the Competition Authority so requires, continue to perform the obligations arising from legislation and the licence conditions for a period of time determined by the Competition Authority.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

Chapter 5 STATE SUPERVISION 

§ 37.  State supervision body

 (1) State supervision over compliance with the requirements provided in this Act and the legislation enacted on its basis shall be exercised by the Competition Authority. In performing the functions imposed on it by this Act, the Competition Authority shall be independent and shall exercise its powers with impartiality.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (2) The Competition Authority shall ensure preservation of commercially sensitive information of the undertaking and use the information at its disposal solely for the performance of duties arising from this Act.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (3) The Competition Authority shall perform the following functions:
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]
 1) approve the ceiling rate of the sales margin specified in section 10(3) of this Act;
[RT I 2009, 34, 225 - entry into force 06.07.2009]
 11) scrutinise the price of the gas to be sold to household customers and the compensation of household customers for price differences;
[RT I 2009, 34, 225 - entry into force 06.07.2009]
 2) scrutinise the terms and conditions of balance agreements and the prices for providing the balance responsibility service specified in section 11(2) of this Act;
 3) approve the methods for calculating connection fees as specified in section 20(31) of this Act;
 4) approve the prices for network service specified in section 23(4) of this Act;
 5) issue and revoke activity licences, establish and amend the conditions of activity licences, and monitor compliance with those conditions;
 6) consider applications for obtaining the temporary derogation specified in subsection 182(1) of this Act, make the corresponding decisions and forward these to the European Commission;
 7) prepare, publish and submit reports on security of supply to the European Commission by 31 July each year;
 8) monitor compliance of the use and management of cross-border connections with the requirements of competition and effective functioning of the market;
 9) scrutinise that market participants comply with the conditions set out in this Act and the legislation enacted on its basis, and perform the relevant obligations (separate accounts, independence of the network operator, publication of information, etc);
 91) monitor the time that a network operator takes to establishing a connection to the network and to repair the network;
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]
 92) monitor the degree of competition in the gas market and conformity of the market to the principles of transparency;
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]
 93) perform analyses of the balance of demand and supply of gas and of estimated future demand, of the existing supply potential, of planned interconnectors and the interconnectors under construction; of the level of maintenance of networks and of measures to cover estimated peak demand as well as of the measures to be implemented for ensuring security of supply;
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]
 10) prepare and publish annual reports on the results of supervision with regard to the obligations provided in this subsection;
[RT I 2007, 17, 80 - entry into force 09.03.2007]
 11) publish the prices and charges approved on the basis of this Act on its website;
 12) resolve disputes between market participants pursuant to the procedure provided in this Act;
 13) [repealed – RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 – entry into force 08.07.2012]
 14) exercise supervision over compliance with the requirements established in respect of system operators and LNG terminal operators in Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and with the guidelines established in Article 23 of the same regulation;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 15) perform other functions imposed on the Competition Authority by Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 16) assess compliance with the requirements established in section 291 of this Act of the person who has applied for an activity licence of gas transmission network, observing the provisions of sections 293 and 294 of this Act;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 17) consult with organisations representing gas undertakings and the Consumer Protection Board in relation to the development of methods;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 18) make sure that no cross-subsidisation occurs in the case of transmission, distribution and supply activities and the handling of LNG;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 19) assess and monitor the investments made in order to implement the network development plan and provide recommendations for modifying the development plan if necessary;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 20) publish on its website the standard terms and conditions and tariffs for the use of LNG terminals and rely on these when approving the terms and conditions and tariffs for the use of the terminals;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 21) publish on its website information regarding consumer rights, the legislation in force and the possible ways of resolving disputes;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 22) perform the duties imposed on the Competent Authority by virtue of Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 23) transmit to the European Commission the information described in Article 3 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 617/2010.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (4) The Competition Authority shall cooperate with the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators founded on the basis of Regulation (EU) No 713/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, with the European Commission and with the regulatory authorities of other member states in order to:
 1) promote a secure and environmentally sustainable gas market and effective market opening for all consumers and suppliers in the European Union and to ensure relevant conditions for the reliable operation of gas networks, taking into account long-term objectives;
 2) develop competitive and properly functioning regional gas markets in view of achieving the objective mentioned in point 1 of this subsection;
 3) suppress any restrictions to trade in natural gas between member states, as well as to develop appropriate cross-border connections to meet demand and enhance the integration of national markets;
 4) develop in a cost-effective way customer-orientated, secure, reliable, efficient and non-discriminating systems and to promote them according to the general objectives of energy policy;
 5) facilitate the access of new supply sources to the network;
 6) ensure the provision of appropriate incentives to market participants in order to enhance the system and to integrate markets;
 7) ensure that customers benefit from effective functioning of the market, promote competition and customer protection.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (5) In regulating cross-border issues, the Competition Authority shall cooperate and exchange with the supervisory agencies of other member states and the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators the information necessary for performing the functions specified in this Act and other legislation so as to:
 1) ensure optimal management of the network;
 2) facilitate the creation of a European joint gas exchange;
 3) optimise the allocation of cross-border capacity;
 4) ensure an adequate level of interconnection capacity within networks to allow for the development of competition and improvement of security of supply, at the same time avoiding discrimination against different market participants;
 5) coordinate the development of network codes;
 6) coordinate the development of congestion management rules.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (6) In order to perform its functions, the Competition Authority shall cooperate with the system operator, market participants and, if necessary, with relevant institutions of other EU member states.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 371.  Functions of Competition Authority in assessing compliance of system operator with established requirements

 (1) The Competition Authority shall monitor the compliance of a system operator with the requirements established in section 291 of this Act and shall, while observing the provisions of sections 293 and 294, initiate assessment of compliance of the undertaking providing gas transmission services with established requirements when:
 1) it has received the information described in section 16(31) of this Act;
 2) it has become aware that a planned change in the rights or influence of the person who enjoys direct or indirect control over the system operator may result in infringement of the requirements established in section 291 of this Act or when it has reason to believe that such infringement has already taken place;
 3) it has become aware of circumstances which permit a person from a country other than a member state of the European Union to acquire control over the system operator;
 4) the European Commission has submitted a reasoned request.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 38.  Rights of the body exercising state supervision

 (1) In order to perform its functions, the Competition Authority is entitled to:
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]
 1) obtain the information necessary for performing the duties provided in this Act and the legislation enacted on its basis from market participants and from agencies of the government and of local authorities;
 2) enter, for the purpose of on-site inspection, the premises, rooms and facilities of market participants and, in the course of inspection, examine the documents, other information and circumstances needed for supervision and make extracts, transcripts and copies thereof;
 3) inspect the accounts of gas undertakings and obtain necessary information concerning their economic activities;
 4) inspect, in the cases provided in this Act, the pricing practices applied by gas undertakings;
 41) obtain the information required for preparing reports on security of supply;
 5) [repealed – RT I 2005, 64, 483 – entry into force 11.12.2005]
 6) check the payment of state fees for activity licences;
 7) issue enforcement orders and make decisions within the limits of its competence;
 8) establish temporary prices for the transmission or distribution of gas for not longer than two months in situations where the transmission or distribution prices are not justified or the gas undertaking does not comply with an enforcement order issued by the Competition Authority;
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]
 9) represent Estonia in international organisations pursuant to the procedure prescribed in legislation and to cooperate with authorities regulating energy markets in other countries.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]
 10) request the opinion of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators regarding compliance with the guidelines specified in Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas and repealing Directive 2003/55/EC (OJ L 211, 14.08.2009, pp. 94-136) and in Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of a decision that it has made;
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]
 11) enter into cooperation agreements to strengthen supervision-related cooperation with respect to cross-border issues.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 39.  Enforcement orders of Competition Authority and the ceiling value of penalty payments which may be imposed

 (1) In the case of failure to comply with the requirements provided in section 291 of this Act starting 1 January 2015, the Competition Authority shall address an enforcement order to the system operator or the person who controls the system operator to discontinue infringement of the requirements.

 (2) In the case that an enforcement order specified in subsection 1 of this section is not complied with, a penalty payment, whose ceiling value for a calendar year is 1.2 million euros but which may not exceed 10% of the annual sales of the last financial year audited, may be imposed on the system operator or the person who controls the system operator
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 01.01.2014]

§ 391.  Resolution of complaints

 (1) A market participant may file a written complaint with the Competition Authority in respect of an action or omission of another market participant that contravenes this Act or the legislation enacted on its basis.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (2) The Competition Authority shall consider the complaint specified in subsection 1 of this section and make a decision regarding the complaint within thirty days as of receipt of the complaint.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (3) If the Competition Authority makes a request for information which is necessary for resolving the complaint, the term specified in subsection 2 of this section shall be suspended until such information is received, but not for longer than thirty days.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (4) In cross-border disputes, the complaint shall be resolved by the supervision body which has jurisdiction over the undertaking against whom the complaint was filed.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

§ 40.  Expropriation

 (1) In addition to applying the principles provided in section 3(1) of the Immovables Expropriation Act, the Competition Authority is entitled to call for:
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]
 1) expropriation of the assets of the holder of an activity licence which the holder uses for the activity specified in the activity licence, if the holder of the licence fails to perform the obligation provided in section 36(2) of this Act;
 2) expropriation of the assets of the holder of an activity licence which the holder uses for the activity specified in the activity licence, if the term of validity of the activity licence has expired or the activity licence has been revoked and if there is no guarantee that the activity based on those assets will continue in compliance with this Act, which may jeopardise the security of supply of the gas system;
 3) expropriation of the network and any limited real right which makes it possible to use the network if the owner of the network does not perform the obligations provided in section 22 of this Act or if the network operator who is the owner or user of the network does not hold an activity licence which is in conformity with the requirements of this Act.

 (2) The Competition Authority may call for expropriation on the grounds provided in subsection 1 of this section only if it has given advance notice to the owner of the assets which are the subject matter of the intended expropriation of its intention to call for expropriation and if the owner of the assets has failed to eliminate the circumstance that constitutes the ground for the expropriation within a reasonable term set by the Competition Authority.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (3) The Competition Authority does not have the obligation prescribed in subsection 2 of this section in cases where performing the obligation may jeopardise security of supply.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (4) Expropriations shall be effected pursuant to the Immovables Expropriation Act.

Chapter 6 LIABILITY 

§ 41.  Failure to give notice of changes to information

  Failure by a legal person to inform the Competition Authority of any changes to the information required in this Act is punishable by a fine of up to 2,000 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

§ 42.  Failure to comply with conditions of activity licence

  Failure by a legal person to comply with the conditions of its activity licence is punishable by a fine of up to 3,200 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

§ 43.  Sale of gas at unapproved ceiling rate of the sales margin and failure to compensate consumers for price differences

  The sale of gas by a legal person at unapproved ceiling rate of the sales margin, or failure to compensate consumers for price differences is punishable by a fine of up to 32,000 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

§ 431.  Provision of network services at unapproved prices or at prices exceedingapproved prices

  The provision of network services by a legal person at unapproved prices, or at prices exceeding the approved prices is punishable by a fine of up to 32,000 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

§ 44.  Violation of obligation to connect to network and collection of unjustified connection fees

  Violation of the obligation to connect a consumer installation which is within the licensed territory of a network operator and which conforms to the requirements established by this Act and other legislation to a network, or the collection of unjustified connection fees is punishable by a fine of up to 3,200 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

§ 441.  Failure to comply with conditions for access of third parties to the transmission network

  Failure by a legal person to comply with the conditions for access of third parties to the transmission network provided in Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council is punishable by a fine of up to 3,200 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

§ 45.  Procedure

 (1) The provisions of the General Part of the Penal Code and the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure shall apply to the misdemeanours created by sections 41–441 of this Act.

 (2) The Competition Authority is the extrajudicial body which conducts proceedings in matters of misdemeanours created by sections 41–441 of this Act.

Chapter 7 IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS 

§ 46.  Term of agreement entered into with the government on the basis of Energy Act

  An agreement entered into between an undertaking and the government pursuant to the Energy Act remains in force until the date specified in the market licence.

§ 47.  Validity of market licence and activity licence
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

 (1) A market licence issued pursuant to the Energy Act is valid until the date specified in the market licence.

 (2) Valid market licences issued prior to the entry into force of this Act shall be registered by the Competition Authority in the register of economic activities not later than 15 April 2005.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

 (3) An activity licence to provide gas transmission services which is issued before this Act enters into force shall be valid until an activity licence named in section 301 of this Act is issued or until 1 January 2015.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 48.  Bringing the activity of an undertaking into compliance with requirements provided in this Act

 (1) Gas undertakings operating on the basis of the Energy Act prior to the entry into force of this Act shall bring their activity into compliance with the requirements provided in this Act within one year after the entry into force of this Act.

 (2) Network undertakings operating on the basis of section 81(1) of this Act shall bring their activity into compliance with the requirements provided in this Act by 1 January 2006.
[RT I 2005, 64, 483 - entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 481.  [Repealed – RT I 2005, 64, 483 – entry into force 11.12.2005]

§ 482.  Term for approval of ceiling rate of sales margins

  The gas undertaking in a dominant position shall submit to the Competition Authority an application for approval of the ceiling rate of the sales margin by 1 October 2009. Until approval of the ceiling rate of the sales margin specified in section 10(3) of this Act is granted, the gas undertaking in a dominant position shall use the sales margin previously approved by the Competition Authority, on the basis of which the maximum prices of gas are calculated and the rate of which shall be communicated by the Competition Authority to the gas undertaking in a dominant position by 1 August 2009.

§ 483.  Information to be submitted by system operator

 (1) The system operator shall submit to the Competition Authority the investment plan specified in section 16(1)(25) of this Act at the latest by 1 December 2012.

 (2) The system operator shall submit to the Competition Authority the development plan specified in section 212(1) of this Act at the latest by 1 January 2013.

 (3) The system operator shall submit to the Competition Authority the information specified in section 16(1)(26) of this Act at the latest by 1 January 2013.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 484.  Reorganisation of the activity of system operator

 (1) At the latest by 1 January 2015, a system operator shall bring its activity into compliance with the requirements for system operators which enter into force on 1 January 2015 and according to which a system operator is the network operator who owns the transmission network, who owns or maintains metering systems on the national border and who holds the activity licence to provide gas transmission services as specified in section 301(1) of this Act.

 (2) The system operator shall by 1 January 2013 submit to the Competition Authority the information regarding the schedule of planned and implemented measures for bringing its activity into compliance with the requirements for the system operator which enter into force on 1 January 2015. The Competition Authority shall scrutinise the progress made by system operator in implementing the measures described in the schedule.

 (3) A gas transmission network may be transferred as an undivided asset to an undertaking who has passed the scrutiny specified in section 292 of this Act.
[RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 - entry into force 08.07.2012]

§ 49.  Amending the State Fees Act

  [Omitted from this text.]

§ 50.  Entry into force of this Act

  This Act enters into force on 1 July 2003.


1Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas and repealing Directive 2003/55/EC (OJ L 211, 14.08.2009, pp. 94-136). [RT I, 28.06.2012, 2 – entry into force 08.07.2012]

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