Capacity

Capacity for European connections

Gas interconnectors link our gas National Transmission System to transmission systems in Europe. Shippers can book capacity to flow gas into or out of Great Britain via these interconnectors. 

Contact National Gas capacity

If you have any questions about capacity bookings, our auctions and how to participate, please contact our Capacity team:

01926 654057

Connections to overseas gas networks

There are currently three interconnectors that allow gas to be exported to or imported from continental Europe, and exported to Northern Ireland and Ireland. They are: 

  • IUK – from Bacton in England to Zeebrugge in Belgium.
  • BBL – from Bacton in England to Balgzand in the Netherlands.  
  • Moffat – from Scotland to the Republic of Ireland.

The two interconnectors from Bacton (on the UK’s east coast) to mainland Europe allow gas to flow in either direction (bi-directional). On any given day, the direction of flow will depend on the prevailing balance of demand and supply between the UK and European gas markets.  

Gas from Moffat, in Southwest Scotland, flows in one direction (uni-directional) from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man.   

Find out more about our international connections

Booking capacity for European connections

Shippers can purchase capacity for the Interconnector Points (IPs) to Europe or Northern Ireland / Ireland through the PRISMA system. For information on how to register for an account, please visit: https://platform.prisma-capacity.eu/#/register

PRISMA is the joint capacity booking platform for the majority of European Transmission System Operators (TSOs). To participate in IP auctions or to trade IP capacity, shippers must first be registered with PRISMA.

The auction dates for all IP auctions are published on the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) website. National Gas Transmission does not provide this data or send out any invitation letters for the IP auctions. However, capacity allocations made on PRISMA are subsequently reflected on the Gemini system used for UK capacity bookings.