Public consultation on the revision of the connection contract

Context

In June 2020, a proposal was submitted to the FPS ECONOMIE (DG Energy) to amend the Federal Grid Code (FGC). The proposed modifications  aim to define and implement the capacity remuneration mechanism (CRM) and its  impact on the connection process, more specifically in terms of capacity reservation.

In order to be prepared  for the adaptation of the FGC and in parallel with the public consultation on the CRM 'Functioning Rules', which took place over the summer period, Elia worked on the necessary adaptation of the connection contract.

The purpose of the proposed amendments to the connection contract is to create a ‘level playing field’ between the various connection projects of power generation units. The aim is to give projects that do not wish to participate to the  yearly auction of the capacity remuneration mechanism (CRM) the necessary ‘incentives’ to realise their project on time. This to avoid unnecessary capacity being unnecessarily reserved and allocated to projects that will ultimately not be realised. Elia strives to achieve a far-reaching alignment between the CRM ‘Functioning Rules’ and the capacity contract on the one hand and the connection contract on the other. Therefore, this public consultation runs in parallel with the public consultation on the capacity contract.

This revision of the connection contract is limited to the adjustments necessary for the implementation of the capacity remuneration mechanism. An in-depth review of the connection contract will be launched in the course of 2021.

In addition to the proposal to amend the connection contract, an explanatory note was drafted to  explainthe proposed changes article by article. 

Period

Elia invites all stakeholders to submit any comments and suggestions they may have on the document submitted for consultation. The consultation period runs from  20 November to 18 December 2020 included.

After the consultation period, Elia collects all comments and feedback from the market parties. Elia will analyse these comments and integrate them into a consultation report together with Elia’s responses. In addition to the consultation report, Elia will publish the reactions of the market parties (including names) on the website, unless it is explicitly stated that the contribution is to be considered confidential.