System Impact Assessment (SIA) Process

To begin the process, you will need to submit an SIA application package to the IESO including:

• the completed SIA application form, as described in Market Manual 2.10, section 8.4, for either:
• Generation Facilites
• Transmission Facilities
• Load Facilites
• Ancillary Services
• Renewable Energy Generation Facility (Hydro One)
• Renewable Energy Generation Facility (Great Lakes Power)
• the appropriate supporting documentation, as detailed in the applicable application, including a single-line diagram(s), and,
• the required deposit, as described in Market Manual 2.10, section 8.4.2
.

Applicants who have received a completed SIA will need to register with the IESO by completing the Market Registration process at least eight months prior to the project’s in-service date.

Each box below outlines the steps involved in the SIA process. More detailed information on each step is available in Market Manual 2.10, section 8.

Note: Concurrent with an SIA application, applicants must apply for a Customer Impact Assessment (CIA) from their applicable transmitter listed below.

Once the IESO receives the completed SIA application, along with the associated documents and appropriate deposit, the IESO and the connection applicant negotiate a Scope of Work and execute an SIA agreement (the Scope of Work is attached as Schedule 1 to the SIA agreement).

Note: The Scope of Work for Renewable Energy applications is different than the standard Scope of Work

The IESO evaluates the impact of the connection proposal and identifies any transmission facility enhancements required.

An SIA consists of a review of the proposed connection arrangement and its impact on the reliability of the integrated power system. A draft SIA report is issued to the applicant and the transmitter summarizing the results of the IESO's assessment for the project.

The IESO and connection applicant negotiate the SIA’s completion date as part of the Scope of Work. The resulting SIA report is posted on the IESO's web site.

There are six transmitters that are licenced in Ontario. SIA applicants must apply for a Customer Impact Assessment (CIA) from their applicable transmitter.

• Hydro One
• Canadian Niagara Power Inc.
• Five Nations Energy Inc.
• Great Lakes Power
• Cat Lake Power Utility Limited
• Niagara West Transformation Corporation

The process CIA has been approved by the Ontario Energy Board and is consistent with the Transmission System Code and the IESO’s Market Rules.