Elering launched client portal to facilitate electricity grid connection

On 1 June, the electricity and gas system operator, Elering, launched EGLE, a connection client portal, in cooperation with Elektrilevi, the largest distribution network operator, the purpose of which is to facilitate joining the electricity transmission and distribution network for larger electricity producers and consumers.

According to Chairman of the Elering Board, Taavi Veskimägi, Elering’s strategic goal of making connecting larger energy producers and consumers to the electricity grid more efficient would thereby support Estonia’s economic development. “One step to connect to the electricity network, for customers seeking better service, is the launch of the client portal together with new conditions for joining the transmission network,” said Veskimägi.

In the EGLE portal, applications to connect to the grid can be submitted, and all administration and information exchanges with the network operator can be arranged. The connector has an overview at all times of the status of his connection project, i.e. what stages have been completed and which actions are still waiting ahead.

Currently, EGLE allows connections to the Elering AS-managed electricity transmission network as well as the largest distribution network in Estonia, managed by Elektrilevi OÜ.

Large electricity producers and the largest industrial consumers connect to the electricity transmission at voltage levels of 110 and 330 kilovolts. Using EGLE, electricity production devices with outputs of over 11 kilowatts can be connected to the Elektrilevi distribution network. Domestic customers, other consumers and electricity micro-producers must approach their individual distribution network operators to connect to the electricity grid.

Simultaneously, Elering has developed new electricity grid connection conditions. In the connection conditions, power station classification is newly defined according to the power station’s rated active power and the network connection’s voltage level. A regulation for the connection of solar power stations has been established due to changes in the Grid Code that came into effect at the beginning of the year.

The new connection conditions relieve the obligation to submit models for power stations connecting to both the transmission and distribution network. For the establishment of power stations with a nominal output of under 5 megawatts, descriptive models of the power station no longer need to be submitted.

A set of rules for the energising, synchronising, testing and conformity validation of a client’s electricity installation has also been newly set out in the connection conditions.
The EGLE connection portal is available at www.egle.ee. Elering also invites other distribution network operators to join EGLE.