On Monday, July 6, 2026, the first annual auctions for the allocation of combined capacity at cross-border interconnection points with Hungary, Romania, and Moldova will take place, according to a statement by the Ukrainian Gas Transmission System Operator (OGTSU) on its website.
“Information regarding the conduct of combined auctions at cross-border interconnection points with Poland and Slovakia will be announced separately,” the company noted.
GTS Operator of Ukraine explained that combined capacity products allow for the booking of capacity on both sides of a cross-border interconnection point within a single auction and a single capacity product.
“The introduction of the combined capacity mechanism is the result of close coordination between OGTSU, operators of adjacent gas transmission systems, national regulators, and European institutions,” said Natalia Boiko, the company’s acting CEO.
The company asserts that the introduction of combined capacity products will contribute to the further integration of the Ukrainian natural gas market into the EU internal market, improve the efficiency of cross-border infrastructure use, develop cross-border natural gas trade, and strengthen the region’s energy security.
The application period for the allocation of annual capacity at domestic entry and exit points runs from June 29, 2026, through July 13, 2026, inclusive.
As previously reported, the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Utilities (NKREKP) adopted decisions at its June 23 meeting aimed at further integrating Ukraine’s gas market into the EU’s single natural gas market.
“The changes provide for the introduction of European rules for capacity allocation and tariff setting at cross-border interconnections of the gas transmission system,” the regulator stated.
In particular, the regulator has completed the regulatory steps to introduce joint auctions for capacity allocation at cross-border interconnections.
“This mechanism provides for the simultaneous allocation of capacity in the gas transmission systems of Ukraine and neighboring countries, which is in line with European practices for the functioning of the natural gas market,” the commission explained.
The new rules for allocating capacity at cross-border interconnections took effect in July 2026 and will apply to capacity used starting at the beginning of the new gas year—October 1, 2026.
To participate in auctions, customers of transportation services must enter into contracts not only with OGTSU but also with the operators of adjacent gas transmission systems in EU member states and the Republic of Moldova. A customer to whom combined capacity is allocated will have the right to transfer to another customer the right to submit nominations and renominations for such capacity.
AUCTION, ENERGY, GAS, INTEGRATION, ОГТСУ
