Transmission Generator Interconnections

Before starting the interconnection process, you as the Interconnection Customer are encouraged to email the Transmission Generators team to set up an initial consultation. The consultation will review the high-level process and detail the steps to initiate the SGIP.

You can initiate an IR by completing the following steps:

1. Submit a completed Interconnection Request for a Generating Facility [XLS, 56 KB]
2. Submit duplicate versions of a completed Interconnection Request – Generator Interconnection Data Form [XLS, 179 KB] in the following formats:
   • One copy as a PDF, sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed or registered in B.C.
     
   • One copy as a Microsoft Excel file
3. Pay a deposit of $15,000 plus applicable taxes

All forms can be emailed to the Transmission Generators team.

Once we receive the required forms and deposit, the IR will be assigned a tentative queue position for the Transmission Generator Interconnection Queue based on the date and time the forms and deposit were received.

We'll then review the forms and inform you if any more information is needed. We call missing information and any needed clarification "deficiencies." You will have 10 business days to resolve all identified deficiencies; once all deficiencies have been resolved, the request will become a valid Interconnection Request and the tentative queue position will become an official queue position.

A Scoping Meeting will follow where you'll meet with us to discuss the IR at a high level and determine next steps. You'll have the option to either move straight to a System Impact Study or complete an optional Feasibility Study before moving to a System Impact Study.

This study preliminarily evaluates the IR's feasibility, including a power flow and short circuit analysis. The study will provide a non-binding good faith estimate for costs and time to construct and/or install required facilities for the IR.

To initiate this study, you must:

1. Sign the Feasibility Study Agreement [PDF 84, KB]
2. Pay an additional deposit of $15,000 plus applicable taxes

BC Hydro will use reasonable effort to complete a Feasibility Study within 60 calendar days, subject to the Transmission Generator Interconnection Queue.

All costs to complete this study are your responsibility as the Interconnection Customer. Any difference between the deposit and actual study cost will be paid by or refunded to you.

A System Impact Study evaluates an IR's impact on the Transmission System's reliability and is a mandatory SGIP step. It considers the Base Case as well as all generating facilities and Network Upgrades of higher queued IRs which have an impact on the IR.

This study consists of a short circuit analysis, stability analysis, and power flow analysis. It will provide a list of facilities that are required to support the IR along with non-binding good faith estimates of cost responsibility and time to construct.

To initiate this study, you must:

1. Sign a Combined Study Agreement [PDF, 103 KB]
2. Submit duplicate versions of the System Impact Study – Generator Interconnection Data Form [XLS, 172 KB] in the following formats:
   1. One copy as a PDF, sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed or registered in B.C.
      
   2. One copy as a Microsoft Excel file
3. Pay an additional deposit of $75,000 plus applicable taxes
4. Demonstrate Site Control [PDF, 114 KB]

Like with submitting an IR, we'll review the forms and inform you if there are deficiencies. You'll have 10 business days to resolve all identified deficiencies; once all deficiencies have been resolved, the study will begin.

BC Hydro will use reasonable effort to complete a System Impact Study within within 150 calendar days, subject to the Transmission Generator Interconnection Queue.

All costs to complete this study are your responsibility as the Interconnection Customer. We may request additional deposit amounts based on our assessment of the estimated final cost for completing the study. Any difference between the deposit and actual study cost will be paid by or refunded to you.

A Facilities Study provides the cost estimate for the equipment, engineering, procurement and construction work needed to implement the conclusions of the IR's System Impact Study. The Facilities Study also identifies the electrical switching configuration of the connection equipment as well as an estimated cost and schedule to construct and/or install necessary Interconnection Facilities and Network Upgrades.

To initiate this study, you must:

1. Notify BC Hydro in writing that you want to proceed with a Facilities Study after the delivery of the System Impact Study
2. Pay an additional deposit amount of $150,000 plus applicable taxes
3. Provide additional technical data requested by BC Hydro as needed

BC Hydro will use reasonable efforts to complete a Facilities Study within 270 calendar days, subject to the Transmission Generator Interconnection Queue.

All costs to complete this study are your responsibility as the Interconnection Customer. We may request additional deposit amounts based on our assessment of the estimated final cost for completing the study. Any difference between the deposit and actual study cost will be paid by or refunded to you.

Optional: Engineering and Procurement Agreement

During the Facilities Study and before signing a Standard Generator Interconnection Agreement, you can sign an early Engineering and Procurement Agreement. This authorizes BC Hydro to begin engineering and procurement of items with long lead times to advance the IR's implementation.

Completing this agreement will not change the IR's queue position or in-service date and you must provide security for all activities authorized by the agreement. The cost secured under the early Engineering and Procurement Agreement will be rolled into the Standard Generator Interconnection Agreement as Network Upgrades cost.

A Standard Generator Interconnection Agreement (SGIA) [PDF, 551 KB] outlines the interconnection’s terms and conditions. Following the SGIA's signing , BC Hydro will initiate construction and commissioning of the identified Network Upgrades. Once the Generating Facility is online and commercially operating, the SGIA governs the terms and conditions by which the interconnection with BC Hydro's Transmission System is managed.