Connection to the grid
Updated: 19.02.2019
Author: Stijn Anciaux
The operators of electricity generation plants are contractually entitled against the grid operator to the connection of their plants to the grid (Arts. 5 and 19 Loi du 1er août 2007). The agreements to be concluded shall be based on a model contract developed by the grid operator and approved by the regulatory authority (Art. 4 (4) RGD du 1 août 2014). Moreover, Art. 4 (4) RGD du 1 août 2014 stipulates that grid connection agreements with operators of renewable energy plants shall be submitted to the competent ministries and to the regulatory authority without undue delay.
Renewable energy plants whose capacity exceeds 200 kW shall be equipped with a meter (Art. 4 (2) RGD du 1 août 2014). Furthermore, the operators of medium-voltage or high-voltage grids may request a plant operator to permanently link the plant to be connected to a control device via a suitable telecommunication medium.
The persons entitled to connection are the operators of renewable energy plants (Art. 4 (5) RGD du 1 août 2014).
The person obligated to connect eligible plants to the grid is the grid operator (Art. 4 (5) RGD du 1 août 2014).
Procedure
| Process flow | According to the grid operator, the plant operators are obliged to proceed as follows: - The operators of plants to be connected to the low-voltage grid must apply for connection. They must submit a certified copy of the relevant entry in the cadastre, a general arrangement drawing and the plant specifications.
- The grid operator is obliged to submit an offer including a confirmation of order and a connection permit including a connection agreement within 10 working days. The offer is a package deal (earthworks and reconstruction works are not included) and is valid for 6 months.
- The plant operator must send back the confirmation of offer to the grid operator, who will then start to connect the plant.
- The connection permit must be signed by the electrician.
- The grid connection agreement must be signed by the plant operator when the works are completed. The original agreement must be returned to the grid operator. The meter will be put into operation only after the agreement has been returned.
Having received the required documents and a notice of commissioning, a date will be set for the connection to be established and for the meter to be put into operation. The procedure for plants to be connected to a medium-voltage or a high-voltage grid differs in the following respects: - The plant operator must enter into an additional agreement with the grid operator: the agreement on the use of the grid and the established connection.
- The operators of medium-voltage plants may also enter into a business agreement with the distribution grid operator.
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| Deadlines | The date of connection of the plant depends on the terms of the agreement. |
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Priority to renewable energy
- Priority to renewable energy
- Non-discrimination
Plants shall be connected to the grid according to objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria (Art. 54 Loi du 1er août 2007). The regulatory authority shall ensure compliance with these criteria (Art. 54 Loi du 1er août 2007). Renewable energy plants are not eligible for priority connection. However, the operators of renewable energy plants need not apply for authorisation to produce (Art. 15 (4) Loi du 1er août 2007). The regulatory authority shall take into account the advantages of and additional costs for renewable energy plants when monitoring the compliance of the grid operator's conditions, fees and tariffs with the principle of non-discrimination (Art. 54 Loi du 1er août 2007).
Distribution of costs
| Plant operator | The plant operator shall bear the cost of connection to the grid (Art. 5 (6) Loi du 1er août 2007). Furthermore, the plant operator shall cover the cost of the meter and, if required, the cost of a telecommunication connection to the control device of the medium or high-voltage grid operator. These obligations arise from the plant operator's duty to install a meter (Art. 4 (2), (3) RGD du 1 août 2014). |
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Luxembourg