The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has finalized the tariffs for the transmission of natural gas set by Gasunie Transport Services B.V. (GTS) for the year 2026. This decision will lead to an increase of approximately 20 euros per year for households and small-scale users, reflecting the ongoing changes in the natural gas market.

One of the primary factors contributing to the rising tariffs is the declining consumption of natural gas by both businesses and households. GTS anticipates a 12 percent reduction in the capacity booked for natural gas transmission by 2026, which means that the total costs will be distributed over a smaller volume of gas, resulting in higher tariffs.

Additionally, GTS has made significant investments, including the construction of a nitrogen plant in Zuidbroek, which is essential for making natural gas suitable for household pipelines. This investment was prompted by the previous Dutch government's directive to expedite the closure of the Groningen gas field.

In 2026, GTS's tariffs are expected to rise by an average of 50 percent, following a 52 percent increase in 2025 and a 20 percent decrease in 2024. These fluctuations are largely attributed to the loss of Russian natural gas supplies in 2022, which necessitated increased imports from LNG terminals in Belgium and the UK, generating additional revenues for GTS.

ACM regulates GTS's tariffs annually to ensure they remain fair while allowing GTS to achieve a reasonable return on its investments. GTS, being fully state-owned, holds a monopoly on natural gas transmission, and ACM's oversight aims to maintain an affordable, secure, and sustainable energy supply for consumers.