Cross-border gas trade
Allocation of gas transmission capacities and access to cross-border infrastructure.
According to the European gas market model, in order to trade gas freely and connect markets, network users must be given the freedom to reserve separate entry and exit capacities of the gas system, so that instead of contractual routes, gas is transported from zone to zone. The Estonian Competition Authority has approved the following entry and exit points of the Estonian gas system:
- Balticconnector inlet point;
- Balticconnector outlet point;
- Luhamaa inlet point;
- Luhamaa outlet point;
- a centralised point for the outflow from the Estonian transmission system to the Estonian distribution networks and consumers;
- the Estonian transmission system’s entry consolidation point of gas produced in Estonia;
- Pakrineeme inlet point (during a valid LNG terminal connection contract or TSO-FSRU contract).
In connection with Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the Government of the Republic of Estonia decided on 29 September 2022 to impose sanctions on the import of natural gas and liquefied natural gas from Russia from 31 December 2022, and gas flows have been closed at the Narva and Värska points. The Luhamaa point is open only for transit, and imports into Estonia are not permitted.
In 2020, Estonia and Latvia formed a common balance zone. According to subsection 22 (151) of the Natural Gas Act, a network operator submits to the Competition Authority the conditions for access to cross-border infrastructure and the methods for allocation of capacity and for dealing with congestion. Amendments to the common grid rules between Estonia and Latvia were approved by the decision No. 7-29/2025-001 of 30 May 2025 of the Estonian Competition Authority.
To use the network service and use capacity at the entry and exit points of the gas system, a market participant can enter into relevant contracts with one common-zone system operator, either Elering AS or AS “Conexus Baltic Grid”. To enter into a contract with Elering AS, please send a respective application and documents to [email protected]. The necessary forms and standard terms and conditions can be found in the attachment to this page.
Input and output powers are reserved with Finland and Lithuania through the IT platform for the common balance zone or by trading on the EEX/GetBaltic gas exchange, where capacity is allocated through indirect auctions. See also the GetBaltic website.
Prices for services approved by the Competition Authority can be found in the network service price list.
Import authorisation
According to the Natural Gas Act (section 27), the import of natural gas is subject to an obligation to hold an authorisation. An application for authorisation is decided on by the Competition Authority (section 28).
To apply for an authorisation, a confirmation from the system operator is required that the transmission and distribution of gas is permissible according to the technical capabilities of the gas system and does not jeopardise security of supply (subsection 28 (2)).
To request a confirmation from the system operator, please fill in the form attached to this page and send it together with a cover letter to [email protected].