*PRESS RELEASE* ENTSOG publishes its Balancing Network Code Monitoring Report

(Brussels, 24 September, PR0373-26) Today, ENTSOG published the Balancing Network Code (BAL NC) Monitoring Report 2026 edition and launched an interactive map providing detailed implementation information for each EU balancing zone.

The report assesses the effect of the Balancing Network Code and its implementation status, covering gas years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.

The report's findings suggest a continued EU-level trend towards reduced transmission system operator (TSO) balancing actions relative to market volume, an important objective of the BAL NC. As network users take greater responsibility for balancing their portfolios, the volume of gas required for TSO balancing actions has decreased. In gas year 2024/2025, TSO balancing action volumes were around 17 TWh lower than they would have been if their share of market volume had remained at the 2017/2018 level. Part of this reduction can be attributed to the application of the BAL NC, which has made more gas available for market participants to trade and has supported the development of gas markets.

Another key highlight and significant milestone of this edition is that full implementation of the BAL NC has been achieved across all applicable EU Member States, harmonising balancing rules across the EU and thereby enabling cross-border gas trade. Slovakia terminated its interim measures in April 2025 while Ireland ended its tolerance measures for biomethane entry points in December 2025.

Moreover, implementation details for each balancing zone are now comprehensively documented and publicly accessible through ENTSOG's dedicated interactive webpage, here , enhancing transparency for all stakeholders . This is the first time that these data are presented in such a format.

The Balancing Network Code Monitoring Report 2026 is available here .