Article 31 Regional cooperation of transmission system operators

1.   Transmission system operators shall establish regional cooperation within the ENTSO for Gas to contribute to the tasks referred to in Article 26(1), (2) and (3).

2.   Transmission system operators shall promote operational arrangements in order to ensure the optimum management of the network and shall promote the development of energy exchanges, the coordinated allocation of cross-border capacity through non-discriminatory market-based solutions, paying due attention to the specific merits of implicit auctions for short-term allocations and the integration of balancing mechanisms.

3.   For the purposes of achieving the objectives set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 80 to supplement this Regulation by establishing the definition of the geographical area covered by each regional cooperation structure, taking into account existing regional cooperation structures. Each Member State shall be allowed to promote cooperation in more than one geographical area.

For the purpose of drawing up the delegated acts referred to in the first subparagraph, the Commission shall consult ACER and the ENTSO for Gas.