Connection enquiries for Calvale to Calliope River network
Powerlink now welcomes Connection Enquiries for projects wishing to connect to Calvale to Calliope River networks, compliant with the relevant Chapter 5 of National Electricity Rules.
Customers at concept stage wishing to lodge a Connection Enquiry should speak with their Business Development representative for further information.
If you don’t already have a Business Development representative, please complete a new connection information request form to be connected with a member of our team.
Disclaimer
By submitting a Connection Enquiry to Powerlink, the customer acknowledges and agrees to the following:
- Assumptions and timing
Powerlink’s response to your Connection Enquiry is based on the best available information at the time, including assumptions about timing, costs, and the likelihood of the Calvale to Calliope River network proceeding. If these assumptions change, the response may need to be updated or replaced, and a new Connection Enquiry may be required. - Potential for additional costs
If revisions are needed due to changes in assumptions or project scope, Powerlink may charge additional fees to cover the extra work involved. This may involve a new Connection Enquiry (and associated fee). - Contingent progress
Progressing from a Connection Enquiry to an Application to Connect depends on several approvals, including the approvals for Calvale to Calliope River networks. If these approvals do not proceed and you wish to explore an alternative connection, a new Connection Enquiry (and fee) will be required. - Offer to connect timing
Powerlink cannot issue an Offer to Connect until detailed design and modelling for the Calvale to Calliope River networks are sufficiently advanced. - Optional network engineering service
To assist the customer with connection readiness, Powerlink may offer supplementary network engineering services (at a fee) to the customer outside of the National Electricity Rules Chapter 5 Connection Access process.
Pathway to connect
The following is an overview of the steps for progressing a potential network connection to the future Calvale to Calliope River networks.
CUSTOMER INPUTS
We encourage early engagement with our Business Development team during early stages of customer project development. At this stage of the process, Powerlink seeks high level information about the project size, type, location and timing in order to inform conversations about optimum network integration options.
RULES / LAWS / AGREEMENTS
National Electricity Rules 5.3.8
FEES
Please find relevant financial information on the network connections page. Our Business Development team can offer other services prior to Connection Enquiry that help inform renewable energy project goals in the early stages of development, please refer to our early engagement product and services brochure.
CUSTOMER INPUTS
A specific Connection Enquiry form is to be used for connection to Calvale to Calliope River networks. Once a customer submits a Connection Enquiry with supporting data and the enquiry fee is paid, our team will be in touch.
OUTCOMES
Once we receive a Connection Enquiry, Powerlink will:
- advise scope concerns
- advise if it is not the appropriate Network Service Provider
- undertake a Preliminary Impact Assessment in accordance with the System Strength Impact Assessment Guidelines
- develop a project scope for the connection including the relevant functional specifications for plant and equipment
- determine indicative operations and maintenance costs.
We will send an enquiry response in accordance with the National Electricity Rules and progress to the connection application phase.
RULES / LAWS / AGREEMENTS
National Electricity Rules 5.3.2 and 5.3.8
FEES
$75k - $180k
TIMEFRAME
30 – 40 business days
CUSTOMER INPUTS
Preliminary design package.
OUTCOMES
Full Impact Assessment ready for Connection Application. Full Impact Assessment does not include harmonic assessment and filter design and Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) review.
FEES
$300k
TIMEFRAMES
Estimated lead time of 12 weeks. However, this will heavily depend on the customer’s submission and response time.
Approvals for Calvale to Calliope River network obtained before proceeding
There are slightly different considerations during the connection application phase depending on if it is a generator or load connection. See below for more detail on each.
GENERATOR
CUSTOMER INPUTS
- Prepare and submit connection application including relevant performance standards
- Pay application fee
OUTCOMES
- Agreed performance standards in respect of the facility including Full Impact Assessment in accordance with the System Strength Impact Assessment Guidelines
- Offer to Connect
- Agreed Connection and Access Agreement
- Reviewed IUSA design, Works Coordination Deed and Network Operating Agreement
AUSTRALIAN ENERGY MARKET OPERATOR (AEMO) INPUTS
The connection application must satisfy the process and technical requirements of the National Electricity Rules including AEMO’s agreement (as applicable) with respect to 5.3.4A and 5.3.4B
RULES / LAWS / AGREEMENTS
National Electricity Rules 5.3.4 and 5.3.8
FEES
Please find relevant financial information on the network connections page.
TIMEFRAME
Please find relevant timeframe information on the network connections page.
LOAD
CUSTOMER INPUTS
- Prepare and submit connection application including load performance standards
- Pay application fee
OUTCOMES
- Agreed load performance standards in respect of the facility
- Offer to Connect
- Agreed Connection and Access Agreement
- Reviewed IUSA design, Works Coordination Deed and Network Operating Agreement for third party owner (if applicable)
AUSTRALIAN ENERGY MARKET OPERATOR (AEMO) INPUTS
- Review Market Registration Application
- AEMO and Powerlink consult on system strength
RULES / LAWS / AGREEMENTS
National Electricity Rules 5.3.4 and 5.3.8
FEES
Please find relevant financial information on the network connections page.
TIMEFRAME
Please find relevant timeframe information on the network connections page.
Once both the customer and Powerlink sign a Connection and Access Agreement the project moves into the next phases which include construction, commissioning and energisation.