Public consultation on the request for derogation from the application of the principle of substantial modernisation
Topic
Elia organises a public consultation concerning the request for derogation from the application of the principle of substantial modernisation. This is a general derogation request submitted by Elia and relates to article 4.1, a) of Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators (hereinafter: European network code RfG) for electricity generation units of type D with a maximum installed capacity lower than 25 MW and a voltage at the connection point higher than or equal to 110 kV that are considered existing as defined in article 4.2 of the European network code RfG and article 35, §7, paragraph 1 and §§ 8 and 9 of the Royal Decree establishing a grid code governing operation of and access to the electricity transmission system of 22 April 2019 (hereinafter: R.D. Federal Grid Code).
The note submitted for consultation has already been discussed informally with the marker parties at various meetings of the Working Group Belgian Grid.
Context
In accordance with article 4.1 of the European network code RfG, implemented in article 71, §1, 1° and articles 161 and 162 of the R.D. Federal Grid Code, Elia has drawn up guidelines defining the concept of substantial modernisation and applying it to units that are considered to be existing. These guidelines were published on the Elia website on 2 April 2021.
In accordance with article 4.1 of the European network code RfG, the units considered as existing to which the concept of substantial modernisation applies are of type C or D.
During the discussions in the Working Group Belgian Grid, Elia announced that it will apply for a general derogation from the application of the principle of substantial modernisation to generation units of type D with a maximum installed capacity lower than 25 MW and a voltage at the connection point higher than or equal to 110 kV which are considered as existing, as defined in article 4.2 of the European network Code RfG and article 35, §7, paragraph 1 and §§ 8 and 9 of the R.D. Federal Grid Code.
Period
Elia invites all stakeholders to submit any comments and suggestions they may have on the document submitted for consultation, and Elia calls on the producers to provide technical-financial arguments in favour of such a derogation so that the cost-benefit analysis can be completed.
The consultation period runs from 13th of August to 1st of October 2021.
After the consultation period, Elia will collect 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.
