Legal sources on renewable energy: Single

Connection to the grid

Updated: 27.10.2009

Legal basis/ addressees

statutory basis
contractual basis

System operators are contractually entitled against the grid operator to the connection of renewable electricity generation systems to the grid (art. 17 RD 661/2007). System operators and grid operator have to agree the technical conditions for connection by a contract, which shall comply with the model contract provided by the Ministry of Energy and Mining (art. 16 RD 661/2007). Before such a contract may be concluded, the system operator in question shall submit to the grid operator the official authorisation of his power system and, if the operation requires special devices, of the connection devices between the systems and the connection point to the transmission and distribution grid (art. 16 par. 2 RD 661/2007).

Entitled party	The persons entitled are operators of systems that come under the so-called special regulation ("Régimen Especial"), (art. 17 RD 661/2007 in connection with art. 2 RD 661/2007). The following power systems have a special status: Technologies. The systems' primary source of energy shall be a renewable source of energy like solar or wind energy as defined by statutory law (art. 2 par. 1 no. 2 b RD 661/2007). Classification by the authorities. Systems shall be classified as coming under the special regulation by official notice (art. 6, 8, 14 par. 1 RD 661/2007). Connection to a central control system. All systems that generate electricity as specified by the special regulation and whose capacity exceeds 10 MW shall be connected to a central control system, which shall be the interface to the plant operator. The control system shall provide real-time system information and make sure that the plant operator's instructions are implemented in such a way as to guarantee the reliability of the electric system. Systems are required to be listed in the register of systems in order to be awarded the status of system under the special regulation (art. 9 RD 661/2007). For renewable electricity generation systems to be eligible for the register of systems, they must be registered in the preliminary register ("Registro de Pre-asignación"). Registration in the preliminary register is conditional upon certain criteria (art. 4 RD 6/2009, art. 4 RD 1578-2008).
Obligated party	The person obligated is the grid operator (art. 17 RD 661/2007).

Entitled party

The persons entitled are operators of systems that come under the so-called special regulation ("Régimen Especial"), (art. 17 RD 661/2007 in connection with art. 2 RD 661/2007). The following power systems have a special status:

Technologies. The systems' primary source of energy shall be a renewable source of energy like solar or wind energy as defined by statutory law (art. 2 par. 1 no. 2 b RD 661/2007).
Classification by the authorities. Systems shall be classified as coming under the special regulation by official notice (art. 6, 8, 14 par. 1 RD 661/2007).
Connection to a central control system. All systems that generate electricity as specified by the special regulation and whose capacity exceeds 10 MW shall be connected to a central control system, which shall be the interface to the plant operator. The control system shall provide real-time system information and make sure that the plant operator's instructions are implemented in such a way as to guarantee the reliability of the electric system.

Systems are required to be listed in the register of systems in order to be awarded the status of system under the special regulation (art. 9 RD 661/2007). For renewable electricity generation systems to be eligible for the register of systems, they must be registered in the preliminary register ("Registro de Pre-asignación"). Registration in the preliminary register is conditional upon certain criteria (art. 4 RD 6/2009, art. 4 RD 1578-2008).

Obligated party

The person obligated is the grid operator (art. 17 RD 661/2007).

Priority to renewable energy

Priority to renewable energy
Non-discrimination

Renewable energy systems shall be connected at a priority, i.e. prior to conventional power systems (art. 17e, Annex XI no. 4 RD 661/2007).

Limitations/deadlines

Systems shall be connected to the grid after the contract on the technical conditions has been concluded (art. 16 RD 661/2007), a bank guarantee of 500 € per kW of installed capacity for photovoltaic systems and 20 € per kW for other systems has been put (art. 66 a RD 661/2007) and the Ministry of Energy and Mining has authorised the application for connection to the grid (art. 53, 59 RD 1955/2000).

Arising/enforcement of a claim

The claim arises at the date on which the construction of the system is completed and the system has been classified as system under the special regulation (art. 17 RD 661/2007). The status of system under the special regulation enters into force on the date on which the notice on classification is issued by the authority in charge (art. 14 par. 1 RD 661/2007).

Funding

System operator	The plant operator shall bear the costs of connection to and a possible expansion of the grid (Annex XI no. 8, 9 RD 661/2007). Furthermore, operators of plants whose capacity exceeds 10 MW and which shall be connected to a control system shall bear the costs of installation and maintenance of the control systems, including installation and maintenance of the communication lines to the grid operator (art. 18 d RD 661/2007).
Distribution mechanism	Plant operators may not pass on the cost of connection to the grid.

System operator

The plant operator shall bear the costs of connection to and a possible expansion of the grid (Annex XI no. 8, 9 RD 661/2007). Furthermore, operators of plants whose capacity exceeds 10 MW and which shall be connected to a control system shall bear the costs of installation and maintenance of the control systems, including installation and maintenance of the communication lines to the grid operator (art. 18 d RD 661/2007).

Distribution mechanism

Plant operators may not pass on the cost of connection to the grid.

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