Connection to the grid (Biogas)

Updated: 01.10.2017

Author: Jurga Tallat-Kelpšaitė

Natural gas system operators are obliged to accept biogas into their natural gas systems. A biogas plant must be connected to the natural gas system, if biogas producer complies with all technical, quality and other requirements listed in Art. 31 of the Law on Energy from Renewable Sources (Chapter VI Art. 32 Law on Energy from Renewable Sources). When connecting a new biogas plant to the existing natural gas transmission or distribution system, pressure at the connection point cannot exceed the maximum allowable working pressure of the system (Chapter II Item 7 Order No. 1-115/2012). 40% of the connection cost is covered by the natural gas system operator, while the remaining 60% are borne by the biogas producer (Chapter VI Art. 32 Par. 4 Law on Energy from Renewable Sources). 

Procedure

Process flow

Request for connection. Biogas producer submits a request to the natural gas system operator for the connection of his biogas plant to the natural gas system (Chapter VI Art. 32 Par. 2 Law on Energy from Renewable Sources).

Submission of information. Within 30 calendar days from the receipt of the connection request, natural gas system operator submits to the biogas plant operator the following information:

• Technical requirements for connection

• Estimated cost of connection

• Schedule for the examination of requests for connection

• Schedule for the suggested connection to the gas system (Chapter VI Art. 32 Par. 2 Law on Energy from Renewable Sources)

Connection. Biogas plants are connected to the natural gas system according to the prevailing law (see general information on the connection to the grid) (Chapter VI Art. 32 Par. 4 Law on Energy from Renewable Sources). 

Priority to renewable energy

  • Priority to renewable energy
  • Non-discrimination

Biogas plants are connected according to non-discriminatory principles (Chapter III Item 17 Order No. 1-115/2012).

Distribution of costs

40% of the connection cost is covered by the natural gas system operator, while the remaining 60% are borne by the biogas producer (Chapter VI Art. 32 Law on Energy from Renewable Sources). Since the connection of a biogas plant is considered to be a public service obligation the costs borne by the natural gas system operator are passed on to the heat consumers via the heat price (Chapter II Art. 4 Items 1, 3 Law on Heat Sector).

Grid operator

40% of the connection cost is covered by the natural gas system operator (Chapter VI Art. 32 Law on Energy from Renewable Sources).

Plant operator

60% of the connection cost is covered by the biogas producer (Chapter VI Art. 32 Law on Energy from Renewable Sources). 

Consumers

Connection of biogas plants is considered to be a public service obligation and therefore the costs borne by the natural gas system operator are passed on to the heat consumers via the heat price (Chapter II Art. 4 Items 1, 3 Law on Heat Sector).