Connect to the grid

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Our electrical grid is a network that delivers electricity from our generating stations to homes and businesses.

We'll determine if your interconnection is feasible and how it may affect our grid. If your interconnection request is approved, we'll outline any work to be done and any costs.

Customer generation interconnections

There are three classifications of interconnection to our system:

• distribution level interconnection
• transmission level interconnection
• standby generation (no excess energy purchase agreement required)

Before the installation of a new service can be approved, you must:

1. Submit a signed Excess Energy Purchase Agreement (PDF, 305 KB) (if applicable) and an Interconnection Request (PDF, 175 KB) to both Independent Power and Energy Services Advisors.
2. Apply for an electrical permit and any other applicable permits and licenses.
3. Submit a commercial service request to install a bi-directional meter (if applicable) for all customer types including residential.

Our interconnection guidelines outline additional requirements of each interconnection type.

Distribution level interconnection

There are three distribution level interconnection types for customer generation.

Load displacement only

Any electricity your system generates will reduce the amount of energy you need to buy at that time. If you use more energy than your system generates, you'll purchase that energy from us at the current electricity rate, just like you did before you installed your system.

Load displacement plus excess to grid

Similar to load displacement only, you can reduce the volume of energy you purchase by using your own generation. When your system generates more energy than you use, you can sell the excess generation back to us. This type of interconnection is typically used for residential and small commercial solar installations.

Independent power with full generation to grid

This type of interconnection is typically used for larger independent power projects with intent to sell their full generation to the grid rather than displace load. This interconnection type is limited by the available hosting capacity on our system, which is presently less than 1 MW. Hosting capacity is the amount of electricity generated at your site without causing unacceptable reliability or voltage quality for you or other local customers. Hosting capacity can also be affected by system fault levels, conductor ampacity limits, protection schemes and feeder loading. Customer generation that exceeds available hosting capacity will be required to apply for a transmission level interconnection.

Transmission level interconnection

For proposed customer generation connecting to our grid at 33 kV or higher, you'll need to apply for interconnection through our Open Access Interconnection Tariff.

Standby generation

Standby generation creates electricity as a backup for your own use. There are two types of standby generation:

• Open transition switching
  A manual or automatic transfer switch breaks the connection from our grid before connecting the generation output to your residence or business.
• Momentary closed transition switching
  To assist monthly load testing of backup generation without outages to your service, your electricity output is in parallel with our grid for 100 milliseconds or less before contact is broken. Your generator then powers your facility.

Contact us

For more information about customer generation interconnections, email our Energy Services Advisors.

Interconnection guidelines

Understand the requirements specific to your type of interconnection to our grid.

Distribution level interconnection

Generation connected to our distribution system is limited by the available hosting capacity on our system, which is presently less than 1 MW.

Load displacement only

For approval of your load displacement only interconnection, you must:

• meet all interconnection requirements listed above
• use a CSA-approved closed-transition transfer switch
• install a reverse power relay to prevent power flow back into our grid
• be responsible for potential engineering review costs.

Load displacement plus excess to grid

For approval of your load displacement plus excess to grid interconnection, you must:

• meet all interconnection requirements listed above
• if required by Manitoba Hydro, enter into an Engineering Study Agreement (PDF, 203 KB) (for larger, complex interconnections)
• use a CSA-approved closed-transition transfer switch, or approved grid-tie inverters for PV solar installations
• if required by Manitoba Hydro, pay for a bi-directional meter and any upgrades required for our grid to allow the interconnection
• if required by Manitoba Hydro, enter into an Interconnection and Operating Agreement (PDF, 389 KB) for operating, procuring, installing, and paying for upgrades.

If an Engineering Study Agreement is required, a deposit must be provided (as determined by Manitoba Hydro). You'll be responsible for all actual engineering costs incurred and you may need to retain a consultant.

Independent power with full generation to grid

For approval of your independent power with full generation to grid interconnection, you must:

• meet all interconnection requirements listed above
• enter into an Engineering Study Agreement (PDF, 203 KB)
• pay for all upgrades required for our grid to allow the interconnection
• enter into an Interconnection and Operating Agreement (PDF, 389 KB) for operating, procuring, installing, and paying for upgrades.

The Engineering Study Agreement will require a deposit (as determined by Manitoba Hydro). You'll be responsible for all actual engineering costs incurred and you may need to retain a consultant.

Transmission level interconnection

For proposed customer generation connecting to our grid at 33 kV or greater, you'll be required to apply for interconnection through our Open Access Interconnection Tariff.

Standby generation

Open transition switching

You do not require approval for your open transition switching interconnection, but you must:

• use a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved open-transition transfer switch
• have your generator inspected by our electrical inspectors.

Momentary closed transition switching

For approval of your momentary closed transition switching interconnection, you must:

• meet all interconnection requirements listed above
• use a CSA-approved closed-transition transfer switch
• provide the transfer switch’s data sheets (that specify <100 milliseconds parallel overlap)
• be responsible for potential engineering review costs.

Contact us

For more information connecting to our grid, email our Energy Services Advisors.