In addition to executing system access service agreements with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), customers will also be required to enter into certain agreements with AltaLink to gain access to the transmission system.  These agreements include the Construction Commitment Agreement (CCA) and the Interconnection Agreement.

The purpose of the CCA is to confirm a customer's commitment to a project and to allow AltaLink to initiate work on the customer's interconnection project. All customers requesting a transmission connected service are required to complete this agreement and provide the appropriate security. In cases where FortisAlberta does not grant a Section 101 waiver, the customer will be required to contract with FortisAlberta for cancellation costs and provide the appropriate security. FortisAlberta will then contract with AltaLink for project execution.

Customers have the option of executing a single CCA at the beginning of a project for the full estimated cost or staging their commitment with multiple CCAs over the term of the project. A sample CCA is attached at the bottom of this page.

Security is required to cover any cancellation risk associated with the project not going ahead as planned. A Delegation Agreement between AltaLink and the AESO delegates AltaLink the responsibility to collect security from customers in accordance with the AESO's Project Milestone Obligations and the following flow charts depict the financial obligations arising from the Customer Commitment Determination Process:

• Financial obligations applicable to Distribution Facility Owners
• Financial obligations applicable to Non-Distribution Facility Owners

AltaLink's preferred form of security is a letter of credit, however the customer may provide cash or, in some cases, unsecured credit may be available to certain customers with the AESO's approval.

Customer contributions, if required, may also be used as security. In this case, a Customer Contribution Application of Proceeds Agreement is required to accept the customer contribution as security.

The chart below shows the key stages of a typical interconnection and the corresponding financial and legal transactions that take place at each stage:

AltaLink is required to enter into an Interconnection Agreement with all customers prior to the energization of any interconnected transmission facilities. The main purpose of the interconnection agreement is to outline certain operating requirements and other aspects related to the coordinated operation of AltaLink's and the customer's interconnected facilities. This agreement must be executed prior to the AESO issuing an Energization Certificate. A sample Interconnection Agreement is attached at the bottom of this page.  

The interconnection agreement will be executed upon completion of the final Construction Commitment Agreement. Schedule A of the interconnection agreement contains the Operating Procedures which contain site-specific technical and operating requirements that ensure the safe and coordinated physical operation of the interconnected facilities.

Please contact AltaLink's Client Services Team at 403 267-4255 for answers about the agreements and security required for customers to connect to the transmission system.