Connection to the grid

Updated: 10.01.2019

Author: Boris Valach

Plant operators are contractually entitled against the grid operator to the connection of renewable energy plants to the grid. The transmission and distribution system operators are obliged to enter into these contracts (§ 31 par. 8 Energy Act in conjunction with § 5 par. 1 Decree No. 24/2013 of ÚRSO and § 24 par. 1 Letter b Energy Act in conjunction with § 5 par. 1 Decree No. 24/2013).

The producers of electricity from renewable sources shall comply with the conditions for support set out in § 3 RES Act. Renewable energy plants shall meet the grid operator's technical requirements (§ 4 par. 1 Letter a RES Act), which are specified in § 19 Energy Act.

After a plant operator has paid the connection fee for his plant, the distribution system operator is obliged to connect the plant to its grid if it complies with the technical requirements and the terms and conditions for connection to the grid (§ 5 par. 2 RES Act), if the connection of the plant to the grid is technically feasible, if the grid is most closely located to the plant and if connecting the plant to a different grid is neither technically nor economically more feasible (§ 5 par. 3 RES Act).

Operators of small renewable installations up to 10 kW are entitled to a simplified grid connection procedure (§ 4a in conjunction with § 2 par. 3 Letter k RES Act). These producers shall be guaranteed a free connection to the distribution grid at existing delivery points (§ 4a par. 1 Letter a RES Act) and distribution system operators shall provide a free installation of the meter, which counts the amount of electricity taken from and fed into the grid between phases in real time (§ 4a par. 1 Letter b RES Act).

Procedure

Process flow

  • Application. The operator of a renewable energy plant shall apply for a grid connection agreement (an operator of small renewable installations up to 10 kW shall only submit a notification of the connection to the distribution system) (§ 5 par. 1 in conjunction with par. 5 Decree No. 24/2013; § 4a par. 2 Letter b RES Act).
  • Agreement. The plant is connected as set out in the connection agreement and only if it complies with the technical requirements and the grid operator's terms and conditions (§ 5 par. 1 Decree No. 24/2013).
  • Connection. A plant may be connected to either the transmission or the distribution grid provided that a secure, reliable and stable operation of the grid is ensured (§ 5 par. 2 RES Act).

Deadlines

If the plant complies with the technical requirements and the terms and conditions, the grid operator shall connect it to his grid within 5 work days (§ 5 par. 8 Decree No. 24/2013 of ÚRSO).

Obligation to inform

A distribution system operator shall provide the following information to a given generator of electricity from renewable sources (§ 5 par. 13 Letter a-c RES Act):

  • a cost estimate for connection,
  • an estimated date when the application for connection will be accepted and processed,
  • a schedule for any proposed grid connection.

Priority to renewable energy

  • Priority to renewable energy
  • Non-discrimination

A distribution system operator must ensure the priority connection of renewable energy plants that meet the technical requirements and the terms and conditions for connection after paying the price for grid connection (§ 5 par. 2 RES Act).

Capacity limits (quantitative criteria)

A regional distribution system operator is obliged to connect a renewable energy plant to the grid provided that the secure, reliable and stable operation of the grid is ensured (§ 5 par. 2 RES Act).

Distribution of costs

Grid operator

The grid operator bears part of the costs (§ 5 par. 5 RES Act).

Plant operator

The electricity producer bears the other part of the costs (§ 5 par. 5 RES Act).

Slovakia
Electricity
Heating & Cooling
Transport

Further information

  • Slovenská organizácia pre obnoviteľné zdroje energie, n.o. – Slovak Renewable EnergyE Agency (SK REA), NPO
  • +42 1 905 744 034
  • SKREA website
  • info(at)skrea.sk

Basic information on legal sources