E.ON is playing a leading role in developing the security and flexibility of Europe’s gas infrastructure. We’re investing billions of Euros in exploration and production, new pipelines, greater storage capacity, increased LNG import capability and a major portfolio of climate-friendly gas-fired power stations across Europe.

European gas trading hubs are strongly correlated and show increasing liquidity. NCG, the virtual trading hub for Germany, is the fastest growing in Europe.

E.ON is also committed to developing Europe’s wholesale gas markets to improve the flexibility of gas supply for industrial and residential customers and for power production.  While long-term gas import contracts will continue to form the backbone of supply, the importance of LNG imports and spot market gas trading will continue to increase. The trading of natural gas across European borders at central, active hubs is vital if we are to ensure secure gas supplies at fair prices based on the efficiency of market principles.

There are already positive signs for a more integrated European gas market. Over the last two years, the German gas market has developed significantly and the NCG, Germany's virtual trading point, has seen the highest increase in trading  volume of all the European hubs.  The NCG represents a significant step forward in the effort to bring Europe closer together, by offering a central point to connect markets in the North West with the South and South East. 

Tony Cocker, E.ON Energy Trading CEO, and Ingolf Hoven, director of gas and oil trading, outlined initiatives to develop more liquid and transparent gas markets in Europe at the Flame 2009 Gas and LNG conference in Amsterdam. Tony examined the impact of the 3rd EU package and competition cases on the gas markets, while Ingolf detailed a number of projects and initiatives to guide us down the road toward pan-European gas trading. Both presentations are available for download via the menu on the right side of this page.