Net Metering

A micro generation plant is described as a system for generating electricity with a capability of 10 kW or less.  The latest Net Metering rules can be found on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) website.

Application process:

1. Information request
   • The client proposing the installation of renewable generation should contact Oakville Hydro and ESA.
2. Fill out the online application
   • The customer will need to visit the Oakville Hydro website and fill out the online application to Oakville Hydro which includes the nameplate rated capacity of the proposed generator, the fuel type, type of technology, and the location proposed.
   • The details can be found in the important documents section.
3. ESA electrical permit application & Oakville Hydro review
   • The customer will submit plans and specific information to ESA for permit application. At the same time, Oakville Hydro will review the application.
4. Provision of information/offer to connect
   • Oakville Hydro will provide information regarding the connection process, approvals needed, technical requirements, contractual requirements and application forms.
   • If the customer meets all of the requirements, Oakville Hydro will issue an Offer to Connect and a Connection Agreement that must be signed and returned to us with your final payment.
5. Customer develops a plan
   • The customer reviews the information provided by Oakville Hydro and ESA and develops an installation plan.
6. The decision to proceed and install
   • If the customer decides to proceed with the installation of their proposed generation, they will issue a payment to Oakville Hydro for any fee outlined in the Offer to Connect and will return a signed copy of the Connection Agreement to Oakville Hydro.
7. Authorization to connect
   • The customer will receive an authorization to connect after the ESA inspection.  Oakville Hydro will then install a new meter.

Small generation facilities are defined as having a capacity greater than 10 kW and up to 999 kW when connected to a distribution system.  The latest Net Metering rules can be found on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) website.

Application process:

1. Information request
   • The client proposing the installation of renewable generation should contact Oakville Hydro and ESA. The customer will need to visit the Oakville Hydro website and fill out a Preliminary Consultation Information Request (PCIR). The details can be found in the important documents section.
2. Provision of information 
   • Oakville Hydro will provide information regarding the connection process, approvals required, technical requirements, contractual requirements and application forms.
3. Customer develops a plan
   • The customer reviews the information provided by Oakville Hydro and ESA and develops an installation plan.  The customer will prepare detailed engineering drawings, submit all the plans to ESA for approval, and submit information to Oakville Hydro for design review. It is recommended that the design is provided to Oakville Hydro within 30 days. 
4. Connection impact assessment
   • The customer submits a connection impact assessment application to Oakville Hydro for a chosen location and makes payment with the application. Information required includes the size of the generation facility; the type of generation facility; type and details of technology; fuel type; single line diagram; location; protection philosophy; and preliminary design of proposed interface protection. Oakville Hydro performs the connection impact assessment of the proposed generation on the distribution system. A Study agreement will be sent to the customer detailing requirements and cost.
   • A Hydro One Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) will be performed, if required.
5. The decision to proceed and install
   • Upon receiving a successful CIA the customer can choose to continue with the generation installation.  A site visit will be scheduled to determine any site specific details of the project. An offer to connect will be sent to the customer detailing the cost as well as all requirements for the installation. Once the customer pays the offer to connect costs, both the customer and Oakville Hydro will commit to a schedule, a form of information exchange and the scope of work. Oakville Hydro will then initiate the work to be done to facilitate the connection.
6. Commissioning and verification ​​​​​
   • Prior to scheduling commissioning, the Oakville Hydro pre-commissioning check list, as well as ESA inspection will need to be submitted to Oakville Hydro.
   • The customer will arrange for the commissioning and testing of the generator. Oakville Hydro will send witnesses to verify the commissioning process as well as complete Oakville Hydro’s required commissioning portion.
7. Connection agreement
   • The customer and Oakville Hydro agree to and sign the connection agreement. A letter of equivalency will need to be completed by an independent Professional Engineer.

Mid-sized generation facilities are defined as having a capacity greater than 1 MW and up to 10 MW. Mid-sized generation facilities typically involve business or industrial establishments. These systems usually involve complex technical and financial issues and should only be considered if the client has considerable generation experience.  The latest Net Metering rules can be found on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) website.

Application process:

1. Information request
   • The client proposing the installation of renewable generation should contact Oakville Hydro and ESA. The customer will need to visit the Oakville Hydro website and fill out a Preliminary Consultation Information Request (PCIR). The details can be found in the important documents section.
2. Provision of information 
   • Oakville Hydro will provide information regarding the connection process, approvals needed, technical requirements, contractual requirements and application forms.
3. Customer develops a plan
   • The customer reviews the information provided by Oakville Hydro and ESA and develops an installation plan. The customer will prepare detailed engineering drawings, submit all the plans to ESA for approval, and submit information to Oakville Hydro for design review. It is recommended that the design is provided to Oakville Hydro within 30 days. 
4. Connection impact assessment
   • The customer submits a connection impact assessment application to Oakville Hydro for a chosen location and makes payment with the application. Information required includes the size of the generation facility; the type of generation facility; type and details of technology; fuel type; single line diagram; location; and preliminary design of proposed interface protection. Oakville Hydro performs the connection impact assessment of the proposed generation on the distribution system. The Study agreement will be sent to the customer detailing requirements and cost.
   • A Hydro One Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) is required.
5. The decision to proceed and install
   • Upon receiving successful CIA`s from both Oakville Hydro and Hydro One, the customer can choose to continue with the generation installation.  A site visit will be scheduled to determine any site specific details of the project. An offer to connect will be sent to the customer detailing the cost as well as all requirements for the installation. Once the customer pays the offer to connect costs, the customer, Oakville Hydro and Hydro One will commit to a schedule, a form of information exchange and the scope of work. Oakville Hydro will then initiate the work to be done to facilitate the connection.
   • Hydro One will assign a project manager to oversee any Hydro One work that may be required.
6. Commissioning and verification
   • The customer will arrange for and receive the Authorization to Connect from ESA. In addition, the customer will need to complete a Oakville Hydro pre-commissioning checklist before the commissioning day.
   • The customer will arrange for the commissioning and testing of the generator.
   • Oakville Hydro will send witnesses to verify the commissioning process as well as complete Oakville Hydro’s required commissioning portion.
   • Hydro One`s project manager will co-ordinate all transfer trip and NMS point testing.
7. Connection agreement/operating procedure
   • The customer and Oakville Hydro agree to and sign the connection agreement/operating procedure. A letter of equivalency will need to be completed by an independent Professional Engineer. 

Large-sized generation facilities are defined as having a capacity greater than 10 MW. Large-sized generation facilities typically involve business or industrial establishments. These systems usually involve complex technical and financial issues and should only be considered if the client has considerable generation experience.  The latest Net Metering rules can be found on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) website.

Application process

1. Information request
   • The client proposing the installation of renewable generation should contact Oakville Hydro and ESA. The customer will need to visit the Oakville Hydro website and fill out a Preliminary Consultation Information Request (PCIR). The details can be found in the important documents section.
2. Provision of information 
   • Oakville Hydro will provide information regarding the connection process, approvals needed, technical requirements, contractual requirements and application forms.
3. Customer develops a plan
   • The customer reviews the information provided by Oakville Hydro and ESA and develops an installation plan. The customer will prepare detailed engineering drawings, submit all the plans to ESA for approval, and submit information to Oakville Hydro for design review. It is recommended that the design is provided to Oakville Hydro within 30 days. 
4. Connection impact assessment
   • The customer submits a connection impact assessment application to Oakville Hydro for a chosen location and makes payment with the application. Information required includes the size of the generation facility; the type of generation facility; type and details of technology; fuel type; single line diagram; location; protection philosophy; and preliminary design of proposed interface protection. Oakville Hydro performs the connection impact assessment of the proposed generation on the distribution system. A Study agreement will be sent to the customer detailing requirements and cost.
   • A Hydro One Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) is required.
5. The Decision to proceed and install
   • Upon receiving successful CIA`s from both Oakville Hydro and Hydro One, the customer can choose to continue with the generation installation.  A site visit will be scheduled to determine any site specific details of the project. An offer to connect will be sent to the customer detailing the cost as well as all requirements for the installation. Once the customer pays the offer to connect costs, the customer, Oakville Hydro and Hydro One will commit to a schedule, a form of information exchange and the scope of work. Oakville Hydro will then initiate the work to be done to facilitate the connection.
   • Hydro One will assign a project manager to oversee any Hydro One work that may be required.
6. Commissioning and verification
   • The customer will arrange for and receive the Authorization to Connect from ESA. In addition, the customer will need to complete a pre-commissioning checklist before the commissioning day.
   • The customer will arrange for the commissioning and testing of the generator.
   • Oakville Hydro will send witnesses to verify the commissioning process as well as complete Oakville Hydro’s required commissioning portion. 
   • Hydro One’s project manager will co-ordinate all transfer trip and NMS point testing.
7. Connection agreement/operating procedure
   • The customer and Oakville Hydro agree to and sign the connection agreement/operating procedure. A letter of equivalency will need to be completed by an independent Professional Engineer.