Columbia Power has a total transmission system spanning 61 kms through the West Kootenay region. All of Columbia Power’s transmission lines are 230kV and connect Columbia Power’s generation facilities to the bulk electric system. The Compliance team at Columbia Power will assist generator owners or large customers who wish to connect to the transmission system.
We can help if you are:
- An Independent Power Producer (IPP) who intends to sell power to BC;
- a customer using one or more generators to offset your load consumption (also called load displacement);
- a large customer load who wishes to connect to our transmission network;
- an existing customer adding or replacing a generator to your facility or making any material modifications to your existing facility; or
- a generator owner who would like to synchronize your generator to our network.
We’ll assist in determining the best interconnection process for you, depending on your site location and proposed power output of the generator.
Connection Process Overview
Requests for interconnection are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each interconnection request is reviewed for technical compatibility to ensure the proposed generator can be connected, and to assess the impact of the proposed generator on our systems and facilities.
Here’s a brief overview of the transmission generator interconnection process.
Note: The application documentation is submitted to CPCCompliance@ourtrust.org and all cheques must be mailed to the Compliance Team. You can find our address at the bottom of this page.
All study costs will be reconciled upon completion and billing will be based upon actual costs.
1. Interconnection Request
To initiate a transmission interconnection request (IR), a customer must submit a $15,000 application deposit (plus applicable taxes) and a completed version of the interconnection request forms. This PDF version must be stamped by the project’s engineer of record.
After we receive both an interconnection request form and the required deposit, we will begin to evaluate the application and we will let you know if there is any additional information required. When we request this clarification you, as the customer, have 30 business days to provide the additional information. Once we have all the required information the determination will be made.
2. Feasibility Study (may be required)
We may require a feasibility study to be conducted which will involve a power flow and short circuit analysis. If this is required, the following will be required:
- Signed Feasibility Study Agreement
- $15,000 study deposit (plus applicable taxes)
3. System Impact Study
This study will evaluate the impact of the proposed interconnection on the reliability of the transmission system. This study will consider the base case as well as all generating facilities and identify network upgrades that may have an impact on the request.
The System Impact Study will consist of a short circuit analysis, a stability analysis, and a power flow analysis. It will provide a list of facilities that are required to support this request and a non-binding good faith estimate of cost responsibility by the interconnection customer and an estimate of construction time. Columbia Power will use reasonable effort to complete this study within 150 calendar days.
Submission requirements:
- Signed Combined Study Agreement
- $75,000 study deposit (plus applicable taxes)
4. Facility Study
This study will provide a cost estimate of the equipment, engineering, procurement, and construction work needed to connect the customer to the transmission system. It will also identify:
- The electrical switching configuration of the connection equipment.
- The nature and estimated cost of upgrades to the interconnection facilities and network upgrades necessary to accomplish the interconnection.
- An estimate of the time required to complete the construction and installation of such facilities.
Submission requirements:
- Written notification that you would like to proceed with a Facilities Study.
- $150,000 study deposit (plus applicable taxes).
- All additional technical data requested by Columbia Power.
5. Transmission Interconnection Agreement
This agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the interconnection. Following the signing of an agreement, we will initiate the construction and commissioning of the identified network upgrades. Once online and operating commercially, we continue to provide support to customer or power producer.
How to reach us
Please contact us as your first step in the process so that we may assist you in moving your project forward in the best possible way.
Email: CPCCompliance@ourtrust.org
All payments must be sent to this address:
Columbia Power Compliance Team
Suite 200, 445 – 13th Avenue
Castlegar, BC V1N 1G1