April 9, 2024 | AESO Update
As a result of the Government of Alberta “pause” on renewable power plant application approvals, the AESO provided Market Participants with the flexibility of a seven-month extension to the Stage 3 maximum timeline, for renewable projects in Stage 3 of the Connection process that did not have power plant approval. Now that the pause has ended, standard stage maximums are back in effect and the pause extension will no longer be granted. The AESO's new Cluster Assessment process was not impacted by the pause, and the key dates for Cluster 1 and 2 remain as communicated on the AESO website.
Market Participants are reminded of the role of a power plant or energy storage facility application in the AESO's Connection Process:
- Power plant and/or energy storage facility application filing is required before the end of Stage 3 (transmission connected projects)
-
Power plant and/or energy storage facility application approval is required prior to the start of Stage 5 (both distribution and transmission connected projects)
February 28, 2024 | Government of Alberta Announcement
On February 28, 2024, the Government of Alberta made an announcement about the Renewables Pause, specifically the AUC Module A. The AESO will assess the impact of this announcement to determine what this means for the connection process and renewables development overall. We will subsequently inform stakeholders of any potential adjustment to our connection process and Cluster Study process because of this announcement. For more information on the Government of Alberta’s announcement, please see the Government of Alberta News Release: Renewed path forward for renewable energy.
August 14, 2023 | AESO Connection Process Announcement
In response to the recent Government of Alberta temporary pause on AUC approval of all new power plant applications for renewable energy and hydro projects over 1 MW, the AESO has issued a Connection Process Announcement to provide further clarity regarding the AESO’s Connection Process.
During this temporary pause, the AESO will continue to progress System Access Service Requests (SASRs) on behalf of Market Participants following the established AESO Connection Process, including transitioning to the new cluster study assessments starting September 1, 2023.
August 3, 2023 | Government of Alberta Announcement
The Government of Alberta has decided to implement a pause on AUC approval of new renewable electricity generation projects over 1 MW. During this pause, in effect from August 3, 2023 to February 29, 2024, the AESO will continue to progress System Access Service Requests (SASRs) on behalf of Market Participants following the established AESO Connection Process, including transitioning to the new cluster study assessments starting September 1, 2023, as communicated to industry.
For more information, please see the Government of Alberta News Release: Creating certainty for renewable projects.
On Jan. 31, 2024, the AESO held a virtual Information Session from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Purpose
The AESO provided stakeholders with an update on the progress of Cluster 1, including updated congestion risk estimates.
We also discussed the detailed deliverables and schedule for Stage 2 of Cluster 1 and outline changes that will be implemented for Cluster 2. Finally, a plan for stakeholder engagement activities in 2024 will be presented. Throughout the session, stakeholders had the opportunity to raise questions to the AESO through facilitated Q&A.
Materials
Are available on the right-hand side of the page under "AESO Materials".
Purpose
Stakeholders’ engagement, dialogue, and feedback over the last 1.5 years has been and will continue to be key to continuing the Connections Process Streamlining activities. The AESO would like to thank stakeholders in advance for their ideas, thoughts, and perspectives.
We value your input and would like to ask all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on the Cluster 1 activities completed to date via the Cluster Assessment Process Survey.
The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and will remain open until January 5, 2024. Results of the survey will be kept confidential.
Please be aware that each question below is followed by a request to provide supporting details for your response.
The AESO will provide an update on what we heard from stakeholders in Q1, 2024.
The AESO hosted a virtual Information Session on October 4, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Purpose
The purpose of this session was to provide stakeholders with an update and more information on:
- The volume and number of projects in Cluster 1 and the AESO’s approach for managing the significant interest for that cluster;
- An update on the volume of projects meeting the AESO’s transition deadline to stay in the previous process; and
- Providing insights on congestion estimates on transmission network pre Cluster 1.
We also discussed the next steps for Cluster 1, and the AESO held a facilitated Q&A to respond to stakeholder questions.
Materials
Are available under AESO Materials on the right-hand side of this page.
The AESO hosted a virtual Information Session on July 20, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Purpose
The purpose of this session is to update stakeholders on the implementation of the Cluster Assessment Process. As we continue to accept System Access Service Requests (SASRs) and approach the initiation of the first cluster assessment on September 1st, 2023, the AESO will share an update of the transition plan and focus on Stage 1 implementation.
We will also discuss the next steps, and the AESO will hold a facilitated Q&A to respond to stakeholder questions.
Materials
Are available under AESO Materials on the right-hand side of this page.
Purpose
The purpose of this virtual session was to update stakeholders on the next steps related to the Connection Process streamlining engagement work that occurred over the last year. The AESO shared an overview of the transition plan, Stage 0, 1 and 2 and next steps for implementation. The AESO held a facilitated Q&A to respond to stakeholder questions.
Materials
Can be found in the AESO Materials section on the right-hand side of the page.
Purpose
Building on the last two sessions, the purpose of this engagement was to share the AESO's streamlining design for the updated Connection Process with stakeholders. Following the presentation there were facilitated breakout discussions on key design components. Breakout topics were shared via the agenda prior to the session. A Q&A was available following the introductory presentation to respond to stakeholder questions. This was an in-person engagement session and participation was limited to attendees. Stakeholders were encouraged to review the materials from Session 1 - Kickoff and Session 2 - World Café in preparation for this engagement session.
Stakeholder Feedback
The AESO requested stakeholders share their feedback on the Connection Process Streamlining design through a Survey that ran from December 2022 to January 2023. The Survey summary can be found in the AESO Materials section on the right-hand side of the page.
Design Session materials
Can be found in the AESO Materials section on the right-hand side of the page.
Purpose
The purpose of this session was to engage with stakeholders and gather feedback on potential streamlining areas for the AESO’s Connection Process. The AESO held an in-person World Café style session, where topics were previously shared via the agenda on the AESO Engage website. A facilitated Q&A was available following the introductory presentation to respond to stakeholder questions.
World Café session materials
Can be found in the AESO Materials section on the right-hand side of the page.
Purpose
This session is intended to provide stakeholders with background on the changing nature of the projects being managed in the Connection Process, the resulting challenges that have arisen, and an understanding of implications to the current portfolio of projects. A review of the overall plan for the Connection Process Streamlining initiative will be shared, and stakeholders will be informed of how they can prepare for the next session in the engagement.
At this session, stakeholders were updated on the current state of the AESO’s Connection Process, and the Connection Process Streamlining initiative was kicked off. The AESO shared plans to engage with stakeholders on the Connection Process, with the objective of improving efficiency and reducing red tape. A facilitated Q&A was available to respond to stakeholder questions.
Specific session objectives included:
- Update on the changing landscape of the projects being managed in the Connection Process
- Review current state challenges and impacts
- Share plans for the Connection Process Streamlining initiative
- Prepare stakeholders for the next engagement session
Kickoff materials
Can be found in the AESO Materials section on the right-hand side of the page.