Murfeld/Ceršak – October 31, 2026 -- The EU energy regulators' agency ACER has endorsed a four-year extension, running until November 2029, of the exemption from building physical bi-directional gas capacity at the Murfeld/Ceršak interconnection point between Austria and Slovenia.
ACER issued a favourable Opinion on the decisions by the Austrian and Slovenian national energy regulators to prolong the existing exemption. The Austrian and Slovenian transmission system operators (TSOs) proposed the extension, and the national regulators approved it.
ACER finds no market demand for Slovenia-to-Austria gas flows
Under the European Security of Gas Supply Regulation, TSOs must establish permanent physical capacity for gas transport in both directions at all cross-border interconnection points between Member States. Temporary exemptions are possible where building such capacity is not justified. They require a detailed assessment and consultation with stakeholders, other Member States and the European Commission.
ACER concluded that current market signals do not indicate a need for bi-directional capacity from Slovenia to Austria. It said that building the capacity without market demand would result in inefficient investments, with costs significantly outweighing the expected benefits for Austria's security of supply.
TSOs met procedural requirements, according to the agency
ACER found that the TSOs carried out the consultation and decision-making process in a timely and coordinated manner. It also found that the coordinated decisions comply with the Regulation's requirements and justify prolonging the exemption.
The agency's support is conditional. ACER considers the four-year extension justified provided there are no significant changes in market conditions or infrastructure developments in the meantime.
European Commission has four months to request changes
ACER has submitted its Opinion to the Austrian and Slovenian energy regulators and to the European Commission. Within four months of receiving the Opinion, the Commission may request modifications to the decisions.