Tigf made a great leap forward in 2011: ready and in position at the race block, it awaits the starting pistol – entry into force of the third European gas directive intended to organise network operators and guarantee their independent operation. To do this involved ascertaining that TIGF effectively has all the human resources and operating means necessary in its own right, which was essentially the case before, but above all rewriting many of the company’s corporate conventions and even the actual labour contract. I wish to extend my thanks to everyone for their constructive, forward-looking approach to the lengthy and complex negotiations involved.
The French Energy Regulation Commission (CRE) completed its examination in early 2012, and TIGF is now the proud holder of a certificate of conformity to the third European Gas Directive. We are now fit and ready to go on consolidating our role in European gas transport and storage, with an efficient modern organisation and processes of our own to rely on, and performing a public service mission that offers security of natural gas supplies to consumers.
Concomitantly with this major groundwork of adapting to the new regulatory context, TIGF has continued to make progress towards what it considers its number-one priority: operating safety and excellence. In 2011, we launched a specific initiative for stepping up our corporate Safety Culture. All our personnel everywhere were mobilised to achieve this objective, enacting a practical action plan whose progress is closely monitored by the Board.
We are also steadily implementing our investment program. Its main components – the Bearn Artery and Girland projects initiated in 2010 and the Adour Artery launched at the beginning of 2011 – will bring a steep increase in our transport capacities by 2015. The interconnections between France and Spain will be increased to 15Bm3/year, representing a 15-20% share of the corresponding national markets and anchoring TIGF firmly on the main North-South trunk line of European exchanges. TIGF has also pursued development of its sales offer on the Lussagnet and Izaute sites. Financially, it is important to stress the company’s successful refinancing in summer 2011, which raised a billion Euros to bring its means into line with its ambitious growth plan.
The TIGF Board of directors swelled its ranks with a new member, Mr José Sierra, who will bring his in-depth knowledge of the industry and its regulation mechanisms to bear in the task of developing the company across the European checkerboard.
Lastly, early in 2012, TIGF was awarded a Corporate Philanthropy prize by France’s Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing. The honour came in reward for the company’s “remarkable projects in support of the environment and sustainable development” i.e. its action of replanting the Landes de Gascogne regional nature park, hard hit by the Klaus storm in 2009. What better illustration of how TIGF strives for excellence in every aspect!
