CAA Process: Obtaining an Assessment or Approval

A brief overview of the Connection Assessment and Approval (CAA) process, with links to the relevant documents and forms, is provided below. More detailed information, including a description of the procedural steps to initiate a request for connection assessment and approval is available in the Market Manual Connection Assessment and Approval  (PDF: 280KB).

As the applicant, you need to establish a detailed project design that shows the arrangement at the point of connection to the IESO-controlled grid prior to submitting an application for a System Impact Assessment.

We recommend that you consult with the transmitter to seek advice regarding the appropriate voltage at which the connection should be made and the preferred point of termination of the incorporation circuit(s). This is especially important in situations where system constraints may influence the connection arrangement or where new equipment is required to be installed within transmitter-owned facilities.

A request for connection assessment and approval must be filed with the IESO using the applicable System Impact Assessment Application form from the list below:

• The Customer Impact Assessment application form (Hydro One) and the System Impact Assessment application form (IESO) for Generation Facilities have been combined into a single form.

  Generation Facilities  (DOC: 488KB)
• Transmission Facilities  (DOC: 443KB)
• Load Facilities  (DOC: 481KB)
• Ancillary Services  (DOC: 406KB)

Before applying to the IESO for a System Impact Assessment, proponents may request the IESO or choose to engage a consultant to conduct an optional Feasibility Study in order to identify any major concerns associated with the proposed new or modified connection.

Upon receipt of the completed Feasibility Study Application selected from the list below:

• Generation Facilities  (DOC: 488KB)
• Transmission Facilities  (DOC: 444KB)
• Load Facilities  (DOC: 481KB)
• Ancillary Services  (DOC: 405KB)

and following execution of the Feasibility Study Agreement  (PDF: 51KB), the IESO will complete an initial evaluation to determine the acceptability of the connection proposal in terms of its effect on the reliability of the integrated power system within 30 days.

Upon receipt of a complete System Impact Assessment Application and following execution of the System Impact Assessment Agreement  (PDF: 53KB), the IESO will evaluate the impact of the connection proposal on the reliability of the integrated power system. The System Impact Assessment will also identify the overall transmission facility enhancements required and estimate the typical range of costs associated with such enhancements.

The IESO wishes to remind connection applicants of their option to engage consultants to perform connection asessement studies as a means of reducing the overall time involved in completing the connection assessment process. Provided that the studies performed by the consultants meet the IESO's guidelines, the IESO commits to complete the SIA report and issue notification of approval or disapproval within 120 days following receipt of the consultant's report.

On completion of the IESO Assessment, those proposals that receive a "Notification of Approval of Connection Proposal" will be requested by the IESO to submit the following form to verify their project status:

• Project Status Report  (DOC: 158KB)

An applicant who decides to withdraw during the course of the process can do so by submitting a Notification of Withdrawal  (DOC: 149KB).

Once the System Impact Assessment Agreement has been executed, the applicant's connection proposal will be included in the Status of Current Applications.

Questions about the Connection Assessment and Approval process should be directed to connection.assessments@ieso.ca.