Request for capacity

All customers must start the connection process with their local grid operator. In the vast majority of cases, new grid customers will be connected via a local or regional grid operator. It will normally only be relevant to consider connecting directly to the transmission grid when connecting major power exchanges (in the order of 300 MW and upwards).

Following guidance from the local grid operator, which is also in dialogue with Statnett, it may turn out that your project requires so much capacity that it should be connected directly to the transmission grid. You will then be directed to Statnett, and you can start the connection process with us.

For all connection enquiries, you must use the order form at the bottom of the page (in Norrwegian only), where we ask for information about your business and the purpose of the connection. Mark the form with “Request” and send it to tilknytning@statnett.no, with a copy to Statnett’s regional connection manager. You will receive confirmation that your request has been received within 14 days. The confirmation will include an estimated response time for the request. You will be notified if your project is not considered to be sufficiently mature (see the evaluation form for relevant criteria).

Following first contact, Statnett will provide guidance on relevant matters such as

  • capacity in the grid
  • planned measures, based on known and available information from e.g. area plans 
  • information on the process moving forward towards connection

Moving forward in the process, we assess the customer’s maturity. For each step in the process, the customer must submit a new form with updated and more comprehensive information about the connection. All information about the project that is entered into fields marked as “required” in the form must be sufficiently documented with accompanying documentation.

We set requirements for a gradually higher level of project maturity at each step in the process. Maturity is assessed on the basis of objective criteria shown in the evaluation form (Norwegian only) at the bottom of this page. Statnett reserves the right to change these criteria.

 

If the customer’s power requirements and/or location have not been reasonably clarified, Statnett may charge a fee to clarify whether it is operationally viable to comply with the customer’s order. The fee is determined on the basis of actual expenses incurred.

Statnett assesses capacity in the transmission grid

Statnett must make an analysis of the power system in order to determine whether there is sufficient capacity to connect the requested volume. The criteria used in the analysis to determine whether it is “operationally viable” are explained in more detail at the bottom of this page under “Frequently asked questions”.

If the requested project is sufficiently mature, Statnett will make an assessment of whether there is available capacity in the transmission grid and it is thus operationally viable to connect the requested volume. The fact that a connection is operationally viable means that there is no need for measures in the transmission grid in order for the requested capacity to be connected to the grid.

All major requests are handled in Statnett’s work with the relevant area plan. This will provide a more holistic perspective on operational viability assessments and an overall more rational and efficient process for responding to the request.

As the transmission system operator (TSO), Statnett is responsible for monitoring all sections in both the transmission grid and in regional grids, see Section 7 of the Norwegian Regulations on System Operation (FoS). In order to determine whether connecting the requested capacity to the grid is operationally viable, the TSO makes an assessment of the capacity at all relevant interfaces.

Statnett’s response to an operational viability assessment does not create any rights to any available capacity in the current or planned grid. Statnett has not reserved the requested capacity. In addition, the date that the request for capacity was submitted to Statnett does not determine the customer’s place in the “queue” for reserving capacity. Statnett’s response to whether a connection is operationally viable is not binding on Statnett. New information or assessments about the power system may cause us to change our conclusions about how much is operationally viable at a later date.

Statnett can reserve capacity for mature customers

The next step is to order capacity. Parties other than the one that submitted the request can also request capacity. To order capacity, you must use the same form as for the other steps in the process.

In order for Statnett to be able to reserve capacity, the project must be sufficiently mature. We use the aforementioned evaluation form to assess maturity.

As soon as we have clarified that there is available capacity in the current or planned grid, we will reserve capacity for the first grid operator or direct customer that sends us an order that meet the maturity requirements. If there is a greater demand for grid capacity than what is available in the current or planned grid, the “queue” will be determined based on the submission date for orders that meet the maturity requirements for reservation. The first grid operator or direct customer to submit an order that meets the reservation requirements will have reserved capacity.

It is therefore important that you order capacity as soon as possible, once you deem your project to be sufficiently mature.

The capacity is not reserved until Statnett has sent a reply letter confirming a reserved power volume, with associated terms and conditions for the reservation to be maintained. Among other things, these terms and conditions will be related to the customer’s expected progress. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that Statnett receives updated information if changes occur that should be taken into account when assessing capacity in the transmission grid.

If the project is delayed to the extent that the customer will not manage to be ready for operational implementation before the reservation expires, the customer must apply to extend the validity of the reservation. If it is likely that operational implementation will be significantly delayed in relation to the work schedule, Statnett may reject the application to extend the reservation.

In the event of significant deviations from the work schedule, Statnett is entitled to cancel all or part of the reserved grid capacity. Until construction starts, the threshold for what is considered a significant deviation will be low. After construction starts, a breach of the customer’s work schedule such as to entail a likely two-year delay of operational implementation will always constitute a significant deviation from the work schedule.

Statnett will assess, design and build capacity where there is no capacity in the current grid

Assessment of measures prior to a decision on project start-up (DG0) in Statnett

If there is no available capacity to connect the project described in the enquiry to the existing grid and no available capacity after the completion of grid reinforcements that are already in progress, we will assess possible measures that could be implemented in the transmission grid to increase capacity. As a customer, if you want an assessment of possible measures required for a connection, you must submit the form, which will also be the basis for our maturity assessment. Please send the form to tilknytning@statnett.no, with a copy to the connection manager for the relevant area. There is also an overview of the different areas at the bottom of this page.

As a general rule, all major needs for increased capacity will be coordinated and assessed in the relevant area plan where we examine all connection enquiries as a whole. The area plan will identify the measures that make it operationally viable to connect the customer’s project. In some cases, additional assessments will be necessary to find measures that provide sufficient capacity to connect the customer’s project. Statnett will cover the costs to assess measures in the area plan.

In cases where we conduct assessments that are linked to individual customer enquiries, the customer must cover a proportionate share of the costs. The costs will be based on cost-price, cf. Section 17-5 of the Norwegian Regulations governing financial and technical reporting, income caps for network operations and transmission tariffs. In some cases, it may be appropriate to enter into an agreement (“Assessment agreement”) with customers.

If the customer meets the relevant maturity requirements for Statnett to conduct assessments, cf. the requirements defined in the evaluation form, and undertakes to cover all or part of the assessment costs until the measure has been identified, the customer will be given priority for capacity in the further connection process and the opportunity to enter into a project development agreement (see below). This means that if the customer has achieved the maturity requirements to reserve and be able to enter into such an agreement – cf. the requirements defined in the evaluation form – by DG0 (Statnett’s decision gate for project start-up), the customer will be given priority regardless of other customers. In order to maintain priority throughout the assessment period, the customer must be able to show progress in their own project.

Project development of measures after project start-up in Statnett

After we have identified the measure that will provide increased capacity to be able to connect to the customer’s project, we will start up a project to execute the construction. As a customer, if you want Statnett to start work on project development of the measure, you must re-submit the form to tilknytning@statnett.no, with a copy to the connection manager for the relevant area (see the link to the form at the bottom of the page). This provides us with a basis for conducting a maturity assessment of your project.

For customer-driven projects in Statnett, where many customers or different needs trigger the measure (often power line projects), customers must cover a proportionate share of the project development costs (costs of studies and assessments) up to construction start. This is in accordance with Section 17-5 of the Norwegian Regulations governing financial and technical reporting, income caps for network operations and transmission tariffs.

From the start of construction of Statnett’s project, payment for the costs of studies and assessments will be replaced by payment of investment contributions, cf. Section 16-1 of the Norwegian Regulations governing financial and technical reporting, income caps for network operations and transmission tariffs.

If you meet relevant maturity requirements for reserving capacity and commit to covering all or part of the project development costs after project start-up and up to construction start, and you enter into an agreement on investment contributions, you will be able to reserve all or part of the capacity provided by the measure. To maintain the reservation throughout the project development phase, you must show progress in your own project, cf. the reservation requirements described above.

The table below shows examples of the time required to implement measures after they have been identified through our work with the area plan. Lead times will vary from case to case.

 

Design and implement measures* 

Increased transformer capacity 

4–6 years 

New substation 

5–10 years 

New power line 

7–12 years 

* Median values from the start of the project until the facilities are in operation, including time to secure statutory permits. Lead times for new grid facilities will vary between projects of the same category. The main reasons for these variations are scope of work, need for disconnections and time required for licensing process. Interfaces to other projects, access to materials, geographic location, topography and seasonal work are also factors that often affect lead times.

We will be in dialogue with you about the expected schedule for connecting your project to the grid.

Investment contributions when constructing measures

Statnett will determine and collect investment contributions from the customer to cover all or part of the cost basis for the investments that will be triggered when the customer is connected to the grid or receives increased capacity or improved quality, cf. Section 16 of the Norwegian Regulations governing financial and technical reporting, income caps for network operations and transmission tariffs. Statnett will also determine and collect investment contributions from other customers that will be connected to or receive increased capacity in grid facilities financed by investment contributions. The obligation applies for ten years from the date that the first customer who triggered the investment was connected or received increased capacity. If new customers do not wish to pay investment contributions where applicable, those customers will not be connected or be able to reserve capacity.

Upon start-up of the development project, Statnett will provide a non-binding estimate of the cost of investment contributions, which are often specified as intervals. The estimate is updated on an ongoing basis right up to construction start and will have gradually reduced uncertainty. When Statnett has a sufficiently mature cost basis to enter into an agreement on investment contributions, the estimate is referred to as an investment contributions estimate. This investment contributions estimate forms the basis for the agreement and the recalculation.

We will recalculate the estimate in line with regulations once Statnett completes the project. Cost overruns up to 15 per cent above the estimate must be covered by the customer. Cost reductions compared to the estimate will be credited to the customer in full. If the customer requests changes that will affect the project after the estimate has been given, the 15 per cent limit lapses.  The criteria for recalculation

Connection with conditions that stipulate terms for disconnection or limitations in consumption or production

If there is no available capacity in the transmission grid on ordinary terms, we may consider providing a connection with conditions that stipulate terms for disconnection or limitations in consumption or production, if this is operationally viable and desirable for the end customer, cf. Section 3-2 or 3-3 of the Norwegian Regulations concerning grid operations and the power market (NEM). Such terms are voluntary for all parties and facilitate faster connection to the grid.

In accordance with the regulations, customers are not entitled to any form of compensation when entering into such an agreement or when disconnecting or limiting consumption or production. The customer and Statnett as grid owner will make a joint assessment of any connections with such terms. Statnett as TSO must also be involved and approve all conditional agreements in the transmission grid to ensure operational control.