The interconnection process is the series of steps a customer (generator, industrial load or distribution facility owner (DFO)) follows to connect to Alberta’s transmission system. The process involves the customer, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) and AltaLink as the incumbent transmission facility owner (TFO):

Customer
• Applies for access to the transmission system
• Authorizes the project
• Funds the project

AESO
• Endorses the need for transmission facilities
• Administers access to the transmission system
• Provides governance through rules, regulations, policies, standards and guidelines

AUC
• Takes care of the public interest
• Provides governance through legislation and regulations

AltaLink
• Owns the transmission facilities
• Builds new transmission facilities
• Operates the transmission facilities

The AESO leads the interconnection process to ensure that all customers are provided with open and fair access to the transmission system.

Customers inquiring about connecting to the grid for electricity to power their operations should follow these steps.

1.       Contact FortisAlberta (the distribution facility owner in the area) via e-mail at transmission@fortisalberta.com.
2.       FortisAlberta will determine whether the regional distribution system can support the expected load.
3.       If the distribution system is unable to support the load, FortisAlberta will apply to the AESO on behalf of the load customer and will follow the AESO's Industrial Load/Generator (new substations or existing substations) process.
4.       FortisAlberta may grant the customer a Section 101 waiver, which allows the load customer to apply for interconnection directly to the AESO.
5.       The AESO will complete the interconnection studies and provide the load customer with a cost estimate for the connection.
6.       If  the customer chooses to proceed with the interconnection, FortisAlberta will contact AltaLink on behalf of the customer to arrange for construction. If FortisAlberta does not grant a Section 101 waiver, the customer will be required to contract for cancellation costs with FortisAlberta and FortisAlberta will contract with AltaLink for project execution.

Customers inquiring about connecting their generation project to the transmission system should follow these steps.

1. Customers will apply to the AESO and will follow the AESO's Industrial Load/Generator (new substations) process.
2. The AESO will complete the interconnection studies and provide the generator with a cost estimate for the connection.
3. If the customer chooses to proceed with the interconnection, the customer will contact the AESO to authorize construction. The AESO will contact AltaLink to arrange for construction.
4. AltaLink will work with the customer to complete the project.

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