Cluster Assessment

To enhance and streamline the SASR submission process, the SASR is now available online as an e-form in Adobe Workfront.

To submit a SASR using your existing Adobe account, login to Adobe Workfront here, and follow the instructions in the new SASR Guide. If you do not have an Adobe account, send an email to customer.connections@aeso.ca to initiate a one-time account setup process.

Once your account is set up, you will be able to submit a SASR through Adobe Workfront using the instructions in the new SASR Guide.

Market participants are encouraged to review the SASR Guide for instructions on how to fill out and submit a SASR.

To accommodate the completion of studies that consider the expected project cancellations in late 2025/early 2026, we have extended the SASR submission deadline for Cluster 3 from February to April 2026.

The following key dates apply for Cluster 3:

The following key dates apply for Cluster 2:

Fees Applicable until April 29, 2026.

Fees Applicable on or after April 30, 2026

See the Fee Guideline for more information about fees and their associated deadlines.

Stage 0 is the initiation stage of the project. In this stage, the market participant submits a SASR to the AESO during the SASR intake window. The SASR is initially reviewed for completeness and the market participant may be asked to correct any deficiencies in the application. Next, the SASR undergoes a technical review. The AESO may reach out to the market participant to clarify project information, correct errors or omissions, or to discuss project complexity. Upon completion of the review, the SASR is accepted. The remaining Stage 0 deliverables are completed by their associated deadlines and then the project is accepted into the Cluster.

Required deliverables:

• Accepted SASR
• Preliminary Assessment Fee
• Financial Arrangement between Applicant and TFO

Roles and Responsibilities:

Applicant

• Submits SASR and required attachments
• Submits Preliminary Assessment Fee payment
• Enters into a financial arrangement with the TFO

AESO

• Reviews and accepts or rejects SASR
• Assigns project name, number and AESO Project Manager
• Issues Preliminary Assessment fee invoice
• Assigns facility, substation and asset names to the project
• After completing all Stage 0 required deliverables by the appropriate deadlines, the AESO issues an email acknowledging the project has advanced to Stage 1

Stage 1 involves a preliminary assessment of the project’s impact on the grid and the AESO’s preferred connection alternative. The market participant is provided with the results of the assessment and a high-level cost estimate. The AESO also provides congestion estimate information. To proceed to the next stage, the market participant provides the required fee by the deadline. 

Required Deliverables:

• Project Plan
• Preliminary Assessment Study Scope 
• Preliminary Assessment Package which includes: 
  • Preliminary Assessment Report
  • Class 5 Cost Estimate
• Congestion Estimate
• Accepted dynamic model
  
• Detailed Assessment Fee

Roles and Responsibilities:

Market Participant

• Reviews Project Plan and Study Scope 
• Submits Detailed Assessment Fee payment 

TFO

• Reviews Project Plan and Study Scope 

AESO 

• Initiates project kick-off meeting 
• Completes Project Plan
• Completes Preliminary Assessment Study Scope  
• Issues Preliminary Assessment Package 
• Completes Congestion Estimate
• Reviews dynamic model
  
• Issues Detailed Assessment Fee invoice 
• After completing all Stage 1 required deliverables by the appropriate deadlines, the AESO issues an email acknowledging the project has advanced to Stage 2 

Additional Information: 

• Upon review of the Preliminary Assessment Package, the market participant may wish to submit a Project Change Proposal. See the Project Change Proposal Guidelines for more information.  

Stage 2 involves a detailed assessment of the project’s impact on the grid and the AESO’s preferred connection alternative. The market participant is provided with the results of the assessment, a facility scope, and a high-level cost estimate. The AESO also provides congestion assessment information and conceptual system plans. To proceed to the next stage, the remaining Stage 2 deliverables are completed by their associated deadlines.

Required deliverables:

• Detailed Assessment Package which includes:
  • Detailed Assessment Report
  • Project Connection Assessment
  • Facility Scope
  • Class 5 Cost Estimate
• Congestion Assessment
• Conceptual System Plan
• GUOC Evidence (Connection projects) or payment (BTF projects)
• Stage 3 & 4 Security

Roles and Responsibilities:

GFO

• Submits GUOC evidence (Connection projects) or payment (BTF projects)
• Provides Stage 3 & 4 security to the TFO

TFO

• Provides input into Facility Scope

AESO

• Issues Detailed Assessment Package
• Completes Congestion Assessment and Conceptual System Plan
• After completing all Stage 2 required deliverables by the appropriate deadlines, the AESO issues an email acknowledging the project has advanced to Stage 3

Additional Information:

• To estimate the GUOC amount, refer to the GUOC Estimate Calculator
• Upon review of the Detailed Assessment Package, the market participant may wish to submit a Project Change Proposal. See the Project Change Proposal Guidelines for more information.