Renewable energy policy database and support

• Plant operators are contractually entitled against the grid operator to use the grid. The grid operator is obliged to conclude agreements on connection and use without discriminating against certain plant operators (art. L121-4 Code de l´énergie).
• Low-voltage plants greater than or equal to 36 kVA and high-voltage plants. The operators of low-voltage plants greater than or equal to 36 kVA or high-voltage plants must conclude two agreements and one contract: The grid usage agreement (convention d'exploitation) shall stipulate the conditions for use of the grid and the liabilities of the parties as regards safety. The connection agreement (convention de raccordement) shall set out the specifications and the capacity of the plant and describe the technical procedure of grid connection (art. L342-1 to L342-12, Code de l’Énergie). In addition, the parties shall conclude a grid access contract (contrat d'accès au réseau de distribution en injection) that specifies provisions on liability and on the availability and distribution of energy.
• Low-voltage plants. The connection of plants with a capacity of up to 36 kVA to a low-voltage grid requires the conclusion of an "all-in-one" agreement (convention de raccordement, d'accès et d'exploitation) on connection to the grid, use of the grid and plant operation.

The grid operator may refuse to conclude an agreement on grid use in the following exceptional cases (art. L111-93 Code de l'énergie):

• for technical reasons, i.e. if usage could be detrimental to grid safety, reliability and quality.
• if the producer does not hold the necessary licence. 

Entitled party: All authorised electricity producers are entitled to use the grid (art. L111-91 Code de l´énergie). Authorised producers shall be all operators of renewable energy plants that hold the necessary licence issued by the Ministry for Energy (art. L311-1 Code de l´énergie).

Obligated party: The obligated party is the grid operator. The companies deemed to be "grid operators" are Electricité de France (EDF) and all non-nationalised distribution grid operators (art.10 Loi n°2000-108). The term "EDF" shall refer to all national transmission and distribution grid operators.