The process for connecting a distributed energy resource project to the distribution system is outlined in the Conditions of Service. We encourage any customers interested in connecting a distributed energy resource to review these guidelines and contact our Engineering Department to discuss your project.

Customers requesting a pre-consultation with Milton Hydro about their project can complete our DER Preliminary Consultation Information Request Form (PCIR). We recommend completing the initial preliminary consultation stage prior to submitting a Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) application and making significant project investments to determine the viability of your project. Application forms can be submitted to generation@miltonhydro.com.

Application Forms & Pre-Consultation

Pre-consultation Request From (PCIR) - Complete the PCIR tab and submit to Milton Hydro
Connection of Micro-Embedded Generator Application Form (<=10kW)
Connection Impact Assessment Application Form (>10kW up to 10MW)
Please note: All documents must be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer

Milton Hydro’s Engineering Department will review all pre-consultation and connection impact assessment applications for completeness. Approximate response times for completed applications are 15 business days for PCIR forms.

Applicants should be aware that connection impact assessments can take up to 60 days to complete where no distribution system expansion is required, and no upstream transmitter CIA is required. Applicants will be advised of any expected delays.

A completed CIA along with Connection Cost Agreement (Offer to Connect) outlining requirements for connection and any system upgrades that may be necessary, and the applicable Connection Agreement will be provided to the applicant.

Thinking about reducing your electricity costs by generating your own electricity? Then you may be interested in Milton Hydro’s Net metering program. Read on to learn more about our Net Metering program for generation of 500kW or less and the steps involved.

What is Net metering?

• Net metering measures the consumption of electricity you use against the amount of electricity you generate resulting in a “net” total from which your bill is calculated.
• Net Metering is ideal for those looking to reduce electricity costs.
• Under the Net Metering Agreement, excess generation credits can be carried forward up to twelve months to offset future electricity costs.
• Applicable generation types for net metered connections include renewable energy sources such as Solar PV, wind, and water.

 

How will my bill be calculated?

Milton Hydro will continue to read your meter as we do now. The bill you see will reflect the difference between the value of the electricity you return to the grid and the value of electricity you consume from the grid. If your net consumption for a billing period is zero, or results in a credit, the delivery portion of your bill will not include kilowatt-hour-based charges and the net credit will be carried forward to the next billing cycle. Settlement of Net Metered accounts will follow O.Reg. 541/05.

 

What is the process to connect to Milton Hydro’s Distribution System?

• Complete the Pre-consultation Request Form (PCIR) and submit to Milton Hydro.
• Milton Hydro’s Engineering Department will provide a response to your PCIR within approximately 10-15 days.
• If there is sufficient capacity to connect your project, make an application to Milton Hydro using:
  • Connection of Micro-Embedded Generator Application Form (10kW or less)
  • Connection Impact Assessment Application Form (>10kW up to 10MW)
• Milton Hydro’s Engineering Department will review your application for completeness and process your application is accordance with our Conditions of Service and the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) Distribution System Code.
• Milton Hydro recommends that all generator equipment be certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). If it isn’t, equipment must be site-certified by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).
• Installation of all generation facilities must be approved by the ESA and Connection Authorization provided to Milton Hydro prior to connection.
• To comply with Section 84 of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, you are required to have an isolation switch (visible, accessible, and lockable) located between the meter and your equipment.

 

Technical and Metering

All generation sites shall comply with Milton Hydro’s Conditions of Service, applicable agreements, Ontario Electrical Safety Code and applicable laws, regulations, and codes.

In order to bill you on a net metering basis and comply with the requirements of Measurement Canada, meter replacement may be required. You will be responsible for costs associated with Milton Hydro upgrading the meter for your installation.

 

Agreements for Net Metering

• For micro-embedded generation of 10kW or less - Micro-Embedded Connection Agreement.
• For projects greater than 10kW up to 10MW - Small-to-Mid Sized Generator Connection Agreement.
  • Projects in this category may also require a Connection Impact Assessment and Connection Cost Recovery Agreement.

 

Connection Costs

You will be responsible for the costs of any modifications to Milton Hydro’s distribution system, including transformer changes needed to connect your generation facility. You will also be responsible for any remote telemetry units (RTU’s), radios, and other devices that may be necessary where Milton Hydro requires site monitoring and control of your generation project. Applicable costs related to your project are provided as part of our Connection Cost Agreement.

These fees are to be used in Section P “CIA Application Fee Checklist” of the Connection Impact Assessment Application Form.

	Subtotal	HST	Total
>10kW up to 250kW (Capacity Allocated Feeder)	$                  7,356.55	$  956.35	$  8,312.90
>10kW up to 500kW (Non-Capacity Allocated Feeder)	$                    7,356.55	$                        956.35	$  8,312.90
>250kW up to 10MW (All DER projects greater than 250kW)	$                   19,908.60	$  2,588.12	$  22,496.72
Simplified CIA (>10kW up to 100kW) - Threshold Capacity Available	$  3,910.00	$  508.30	$  4,418.30

 

Prices are subject to change without notice. Applicants should ensure fees are current prior to submitting an application.

Projects greater than 250kW and/ or connecting to a non-capacity allocated feeder require a CIA by the upstream transmitter. Milton Hydro will advise applicants when upstream transmitter CIA’s are required, and will apply to the upstream transmitter for their CIA on behalf of the applicant.

Applicants shall include CIA payment with completed application including site drawings, electrical single line diagrams, protection philosophy, and other information as may be required to fully assess the project.

All generation connections require a Connection Agreement. As part of the connection process, customers will receive Milton Hydro’s appliable agreement with the Connection Cost Agreement.
 
Micro-Embedded Connection Agreement (<= 10kW)
Small-to-Mid Sized Generator Connection Agreement (>10kW up to 10MW)

Currently there are no feeder restrictions for connecting Distributed Energy Resources (DER) in Milton Hydro’s distribution territory.

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) website contains useful information about DER and EV connections, process, and documentation. Milton Hydro recommends you also review information available on OEB’s website.

• DER Connection Review Process: https://engagewithus.oeb.ca/derandevchargingconnections

• Distribution System Code: https://www.oeb.ca/regulatory-rules-and-documents/rules-codes-and-requirements/distribution-system-code-dsc

• ESA Spec 004 Guidelines for Microgeneration

• ESA Spec 005 Guidelines for Installation of Parallel Generating Systems > 10kW

Milton Hydro offers a Simplified Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) compliant with OEB Guidelines that are designed to streamline the process of connecting small-scale generation projects (≤100 kW) to the electricity distribution grid. These guidelines help ensure that new small scale distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop solar, small wind turbines, and battery storage, can be integrated efficiently while maintaining grid safety, reliability, and power quality.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Simplified CIA process, a project must meet specific conditions, including:

• A nameplate capacity of:

  • >10kW and ≤ 30kW (single phase, 16kV or less); or

  • >30kW and ≤ 100kW (single/ three phase, 16kV or less).

• Located in an area where the total generation on the feeder does not exceed 7% of the annual peak load.

• The project does not require an upstream distribution or transmission system impact assessments.

• Compliance with technical and safety requirements of MHDI.

If a project does not meet these criteria, it must undergo a Full CIA, which involves a more detailed technical assessment.

Application and Review Process

Step 1: Preliminary Screening

The project proponent must first consult with the MHDI to determine whether the project qualifies for a Simplified CIA. To being the preliminary consultation complete and submit the Pre-consultation Request Form (PCIR) and submit to engineering@miltonhydro.com. Our Engineering Department staff will contact you within 15 business days to discuss your proposal and provide a response.

If the pre-consultation identifies the applicant’s proposal meets the criteria for a Simplified CIA, Milton Hydro’s Engineering Department will advise the applicant of next steps to submit a CIA application.

Step 2: Application Submission

Once deemed eligible, the applicant submits an CIA Application form found in the Forms section of the website. This includes technical details such as:

• Project location and connection point.
• Equipment specifications (e.g., inverter ratings, protective relays).
• Load flow analysis and expected generation capacity.
• Single Line Diagram that includes at minimum the sources of generation, wire sizes, protective devices and IEEE numbers, meter location, utility disconnect switch, Point of Common Coupling (PCC), and Point of Connection (POC).
• Site plan showing location of generation, utility disconnect switch, and meter.
• Protection philosophy (see MHDI Condition of Service and OEB DERCP Guidelines).
• Proposed project schedule.
• The application, single line diagram, and protection philosophy must be sealed by a Professional Engineer (for projects > 30kW).

Additionally, the applicant shall submit payment for the CIA is accordance with MHDI’s CIA fee structure available at (WEBSITE) with their application.

Step 3: Connection Impact Assessment

Once a full application is received, MHDI will being a Connection Impact Assessment (CIA). The CIA will review the proposed projects:

• Impact on voltage levels at the connection point.
• Protection coordination with existing grid infrastructure.
• Power quality considerations, such as harmonics and flicker.

 

Step 4: Approval or Further Study

• Following completion of the CIA, if no significant distribution system impact is identified, the project is approved under the Simplified CIA process.
  • Milton Hydro will provide the applicant with a Connection Cost Recovery Agreement (CCRA), CIA report, a Commissioning & Equipment Verification Report (CVER), and Connection Agreement within approximately 45 business days following a complete submission. Additional related information as applicable will be provided.
• If potential issues are found, Milton Hydro will advise the proponent that a full CIA possibly including upstream LDC is required to conduct a more detailed technical review.

 

Step 5: Construction, Telemetry, and Commissioning

The applicant shall provide Milton Hydro with a current construction schedule that includes provisions for MHDI telemetry point verification testing and commissioning.

Milton Hydro Engineering staff will advise the applicant of any missing information, agreements, or fees.
Once approved by Milton Hydro’s Engineering Department, the applicant can start making material investments in their equipment.

Telemetry (if required):

• Milton Hydro will supply and install a radio which the applicant shall connect their Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC). 
• The applicant shall provide any telemetry points and network information to Milton Hydro a minimum of eight (8) weeks prior to commissioning to allow Milton Hydro sufficient time to add the project to our SCADA.
• Approximately three (3) weeks prior to commissioning, perform a point verification test of telemetric points and record the results.

 

Step 6: Commissioning

The applicant shall schedule with Milton Hydro their commissioning date at minimum three (3) weeks in advance to allow for Engineering and Control Room staff to schedule resources.

• The applicant is required to complete Milton Hydro’s Commissioning and Equipment Verification Report (CVER) and submit to Milton Hydro prior to permanent use of the DER. The CVER shall be sealed by a Professional Engineer registered with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).
• Accompanying the CVER, the applicant shall submit a letter sealed by a Professional Engineer attesting that:
  • The DER has been constructed and commissioned in accordance with CSA, OESC, IEEE, and other applicable industry standards, provincial and local laws, by-laws, Act’s, and Regulations.
  • The DER’s operations are consistent with the protection philosophy and all protective equipment has been installed, commissioned, and operated as designed.
• Submit their own commissioning and test reports in addition to CVER.
• Conduct a live point verification test of all telemetric data ensuring that MHDI’s SCADA shows proper values (if applicable).
• The applicant shall provide ESA Connection Authorization for temporary connection during commissioning and a final Connection Authorization for continued operation of their DER.
• When satisfied, Milton Hydro shall advise the applicant they can continue operation of their DER.

 

Step 7: Post Commissioning

Following successful commissioning, the applicant shall submit as-built drawings including single line diagrams.

Milton Hydro shall submit a Letter of Equivalency to Hydro One as applicable.

Approximately 2 months following project completion, Milton Hydro shall provide the applicant with a final cost report and provide a refund or request additional payments as applicable.
 

Next Steps for Prospective Applicants

If you are uncertain whether your project qualifies for the simplified CIA process, contact our engineering department at engineering@miltonhydro.com.

Applicants should work closely with Milton Hydro’s Engineering Department to ensure compliance with our connection requirements. If a project does not qualify for the Simplified CIA, Milton Hydro will guide the applicant through the full CIA process. To begin the process complete and submit the Pre-consultation Request Form (PCIR) and submit to engineering@miltonhydro.com. Our Engineering Department staff will contact you within 15 business days to discuss your proposal and provide a response.