Proposed Revocation of O. Reg. 326/09: Mandatory Information Re Connections under the Electricity Act, 1998

ERO number
019-2846
Notice type
Regulation
Posted by
Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines
Transferred to
Ministry of Energy
Notice stage
Decision
Decision posted
Comment period
December 15, 2020 - February 4, 2021 (50 days) Closed
Last updated

This consultation was open from:
December 15, 2020
to February 4, 2021

Decision summary

We decided to revoke O. Reg. 326/09. As of July 1, 2021, timelines for all generation types seeking grid connection assessments will be the same. Related reporting requirements for Local Distribution Companies and the Independent Electricity System Operator will be removed.

Decision details

O. Reg. 326/09 (Mandatory Information Re Connections) prescribed timelines for completing grid connection assessments for renewable energy projects seeking a connection to the distribution or transmission system as well as reporting requirements that apply to Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). 

To ensure the safe and reliable operation of the province’s transmission and distribution systems, a proposed renewable energy project may be subject to one or more grid connection assessments required by the IESO, a transmitter or an LDC. The assessments may provide details of the impacts the project would have on the existing electrical system if connected and the technical specifications needed for the project to connect.

Revoking this regulation would remove timelines for LDCs, transmitters and the IESO to complete grid connection assessments for renewable energy projects and ensure consistency for all generation types seeking these types of assessments. This revocation also removes the requirement for LDCs and the IESO to report quarterly on the number of assessments they complete and the system capacity to accommodate more projects.

This action would help make Ontario more competitive by cutting red tape and reducing regulatory burdens for LDCs and the IESO. It also intersects with initiatives led by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and the IESO.

For example, through the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Connections Review initiative, the OEB is reviewing the requirements for the connection of DERs by licensed electricity distributors. The OEB is consulting with customers, DER providers, industry associations and distributors to identify barriers to the connection of DERs, and where appropriate, standardize and improve the connection process.

Also, as part of the Framework for Energy Innovation: Distributed Resources and Utility Incentives consultation, the OEB is working with stakeholders to identify and consider regulatory reforms that would facilitate investment in DERs based on their value to consumers. This may include exploring new and innovative ways to make system information available.

Revoking the regulation would also align with the IESO efforts to plan for future electricity supply in a manner that offers value to ratepayers by allowing any resource that can meet system needs to compete.

The repeal of related sections of the Electricity Act, 1998 was introduced as part of Bill 276, Supporting Recovery and Competitiveness Act, 2021.

Comments received

Through the registry

4

By email

1

By mail

0
View comments submitted through the registry

Effects of consultation

We received five comments about this proposal. All comments were supportive of the revocation. The regulation will be revoked as proposed.

Supporting materials

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Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.

Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.

Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, Conservation and Renewable Energy Division
Address

77 Grenville St.
5th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 2C1
Canada

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Contact

William Coutts

Phone number
Office
Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines
Address

77 Grenville Street
6th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 2C1
Canada

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Original proposal

ERO number
019-2846
Notice type
Regulation
Posted by
Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines
Proposal posted

Comment period

December 15, 2020 - February 4, 2021 (50 days)

Proposal details

Ontario has built a clean energy supply. A competitive energy future will ensure value for ratepayers. Placing priority on renewable generation is no longer appropriate.

O. Reg. 326/09 – Mandatory Information Re Connections, was developed as part of a suite of legislation and regulations that promoted and prioritized the development of renewable energy. O. Reg. 326/09 promotes and prioritizes renewable energy projects by prescribing: 

  • Timelines for completing complex grid connection assessments for renewable energy generation facilities and other requirements that apply to Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO); and 
  • The information LDCs and the IESO must provide to meet the quarterly reporting requirements in the Act:
    • the number of assessments they have completed and the time it took to complete them, and 
    • technical information about the ability of the distribution system to accommodate more facilities.

We are proposing to revoke this regulation, meaning that the timelines for renewable energy generators seeking complex grid connection assessments would be the same as the timelines for other generation types seeking similar connection assessments. This proposed revocation would help make Ontario more competitive by cutting red tape and reducing regulatory burdens and aligns with initiatives led by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and the IESO.

Through the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Connections Review initiative, the OEB is reviewing the requirements for the connection of DERs by licensed electricity distributors. The OEB is consulting with customers, DERs providers, industry associations and distributors to identify barriers to the connection of DERs, and where appropriate, standardize and improve the connection process. As part of the Responding to DERs consultation, the OEB is working with stakeholders to identify and consider regulatory reforms that would facilitate investment in DERs on the basis of the value to consumers which may include exploring new and innovative ways to make system information available.

Revoking the regulation would also align with the IESO's efforts to plan for future electricity supply in a manner that offers value to ratepayers by allowing any resource that can meet system needs to compete.

Supporting materials

View materials in person

Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.

Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.

Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, Conservation and Renewable Energy Division
Address

77 Grenville St.
5th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 2C1
Canada

Comment

Commenting is now closed.

This consultation was open from December 15, 2020
to February 4, 2021

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