Objectives, Powers and Responsibilities of the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) for the Natural Gas Market.
According to the Natural Gas Market Law Regulations, CERA has the following objectives, powers and responsibilities:
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It encourages research and development in relation to transportation, distribution, supply, storage and use of natural gas.
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It is the Energy Ombudsman / Consumer Agency acting as an independent mechanism for dealing effectively with complaints and out-of-court settlements (dispute settlement).
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It is a single point of contact for informing consumers
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Promotes the development of an economically robust and efficient natural gas market.
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Ensures the safety, continuity of supply, quality and efficiency in the supply of natural gas.
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Monitors the issues of the security of supply, and especially the balance of supply/ demand in the market, the level of the expected future demand and the availability of supply, as well as the level of competition in the market.
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Announces the measures that may be put into effect in case of unforeseeable crisis in the energy field, or when the security of people, works, installations or the integrity of the networks are threatened.
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Prepares and publishes Technical Rules determining the minimum standards of technical design and operation for the connection to the network of installations of liquefied Natural Gas, to storage installations, to other transportation or distribution networks and to direct pipes of Natural Gas.
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Takes appropriate and effective measures for control and transparency, so as to avoid possible misuse of dominant position, and in particular of those misuses to the detriment of consumers.
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Protects the interests of the final consumers.
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Promotes the development of regional markets within the Community so that they operate competitively and properly so as to achieve security of supply.
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Promotes the elimination of restrictions in the natural gas trade among Member States, including developing appropriate cross-border transmission capacities to meet demand and enhance the integration of national markets.
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Ensures as competent authority the implementation of the measures laid down in Regulation 994/2010 of the European Parliament and the Council concerning measures safeguarding security of gas supply.
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Encourages research and development in connection with the transmission, distribution, supply, storage and use of natural gas.
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Resolves disputes on access to pipes of the upstream network, in connection with negotiations for access to the network.
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Carries out investigations, either following the submission of a complaint or initiated by CERA ex officio.
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Imposes administrative fines in the event of a breach of any provision of the Law.
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Sets the rules for the management and the distribution of the interconnection capacity, in consultation with the appropriate authorities of the Member States with which there is interconnection.
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Prepares and implements long-term planning regarding the planning of supply and transportation capacity of natural gas undertakings over the long term so as to satisfy the demand of the system for natural gas, achieve the diversification of sources and ensure supply to the customers, including the security of supply, energy efficiency / demand-side management and the achievement of environmental objectives and targets for energy from renewable sources.