CER Compliance for large embedded generation (LEG)

Your generating system is a significant long-term asset. Maintaining compliance and completing periodic reviews provides an opportunity to confirm that key equipment, protection settings and operating arrangements continue to perform as intended.

Identifying and addressing issues early can help reduce the risk of unexpected operational impacts and provides greater confidence that your generating system continues to operate in accordance with its approved connection agreements.

Large embedded generation systems operate as part of South Australia's electricity network. Maintaining agreed protection settings, equipment and operational arrangements helps manage the impact of individual generating systems on the network and support reliable operation for all customers.

Compliance review also gives SA Power Networks confidence that the assumptions used to plan and operate the network remain valid as the energy system continues to evolve.

For the electricity network, ongoing compliance gives SA Power Networks confidence that connected generation and flexible loads continue to operate within their approved parameters. This becomes increasingly important as more generation, flexible loads and two-way power flows connect to the network, helping us maintain safe and reliable electricity supply for all customers, while supporting the continued integration of customer energy resources (CER) across South Australia.

Customers may choose to engage consultants or asset managers to assist with ongoing compliance activities.

While consultants provide valuable technical support, responsibility for ensuring ongoing compliance remains with the customer as the asset owner.

SA Power Networks will provide guidance and consistent information to support both customers and consultants in meeting compliance requirements.

See Roles and responsibilities for larger and more complex CER connections for more information.

Your CMP identifies the activities applicable to your generating system (for more info, see the CMP template and CMP Guide).

Depending on your approved arrangements, these may include testing or verification of:

• functional controls and operating arrangements;
• protection systems;
• agreed performance requirements;
• remote monitoring and control;
• set points; and
• power quality.

Some activities require coordination with SA Power Networks.

For detailed instructions and planning lead times, see the Three-Yearly Compliance Review Guide.

Where remote monitoring, control or set-point testing is required, contact the Major Customer team to arrange the test. Please allow at least 15 business days for coordination. 

Where power-quality testing by SA Power Networks is required, allow up to two months for arrangements to be made. Power-quality monitoring will generally occur over approximately seven days. 

See the Three-Yearly Compliance Review Guide for what you need to provide and how to arrange testing. 

Provide the evidence required by your approved CMP (for more info, see the CMP template and CMP Guide).

Depending on the requirement, this may include completed test results and test reports, photographs where required, and other evidence specified in your approved CMP.

The information, data and evidence required for your three-yearly review are specified in the Documentation column of your approved CMP.

A separate compliance report is not required if the information you provide collectively addresses the applicable CMP requirements.

Send your compliance review information via email to MajorCustomers@sapowernetworks.com.au

Include your customer and site details, LEG installation reference where available, review due date, applicable CMP documentation and supporting evidence, and details of any outstanding items or identified non-compliance.

For the complete submission requirements, see the Three-Yearly Compliance Review Guide.

SA Power Networks will review the information and evidence you provide. We may contact you if information is incomplete or unclear, further testing is required, or an issue needs to be addressed.

Once the applicable requirements have been completed, we will confirm the outcome and your next review date.

Your compliance requirements are set out in your existing connection agreements and are not changing. We are providing clearer information, guidance and reminders to help you understand what is required, when you need to take action and where to go for support.

This includes completing your three-yearly compliance review, continuing to operate and maintain your generating system in accordance with its approved requirements, notifying SA Power Networks of relevant changes, and addressing any non-compliance that is identified.

We will provide advance reminders and practical guidance to help you plan for your three-yearly review. This may require testing or other technical work to be undertaken by your consultant or another suitably qualified specialist, so we encourage you to plan ahead and contact us early if you have questions or anticipate difficulty meeting a requirement or timeframe.

Your connection requirements continue throughout the life of your generating system.

Your generating system is a significant long-term asset. Maintaining compliance and completing periodic reviews provides an opportunity to confirm that key equipment, protection settings and operating arrangements continue to perform as intended.

Identifying and addressing issues early can help reduce the risk of unexpected operational impacts, support the ongoing operation of your approved export or flexible connection agreements, and help protect your investment.

For the electricity network, ongoing compliance gives SA Power Networks confidence that connected generation and flexible loads continue to operate within their approved parameters. This becomes increasingly important as more generation, flexible loads and two-way power flows connect to the network, helping us maintain safe and reliable electricity supply for all customers, while supporting the continued integration of customer energy resources (CER) across South Australia.

SA Power Networks will contact you before your review is due.

You will generally receive a reminder around six months before the due date and further information around three months before the due date about the compliance activities required for your site.

Keep your ownership and contact information current so that these notifications reach the appropriate person.

The CMP template and CMP Guide are available to help customers and consultants understand and document applicable compliance requirements. Contact us if you are unsure what applies to your site or need assistance.

A potential compliance issue may be identified through a three-yearly review or at another time.

If non-compliance is identified, you are responsible for investigating the issue, cooperating with SA Power Networks and addressing it within the required timeframe.

SA Power Networks will explain the issue, the action required and the relevant timeframe. The timeframe for resolving an issue will reflect the nature and significance of the non-compliance, including any potential network or safety impacts. Higher-risk matters may require corrective action within a shorter timeframe.

SA Power Networks’ preference is to work with customers to achieve and maintain compliance. Where a required three-yearly compliance review is not completed, or where identified non-compliance is not addressed within the required timeframe, we will contact the customer to clarify the outstanding requirements and provide an opportunity to take corrective action.

Where matters remain unresolved, SA Power Networks will progressively escalate its response through the following process:

1. Reminder and opportunity to resolve – We will contact you about the outstanding requirement, explain what action is needed and provide an opportunity to address the matter.
2. Formal notice and corrective action – If the matter remains unresolved, we will issue a formal notice outlining the non-compliance, the corrective action required and the timeframe for completion.
3. Enforcement action – If the required corrective action is not completed, SA Power Networks may take enforcement action. Depending on the nature and significance of the non-compliance, this may include curtailment of export and/or load until the issue is resolved.

The timeframe for resolving an issue will reflect the nature and significance of the non-compliance, including any potential network or safety impacts. Higher-risk matters may require corrective action within a shorter timeframe.

Customers are encouraged to engage with SA Power Networks early if they anticipate difficulty meeting a requirement or timeframe so that the circumstances and appropriate next steps can be discussed.

The compliance requirements associated with your connection are not new and are set out in your existing connection agreements. We recognise that SA Power Networks has not always communicated or followed up these requirements consistently.

We are improving how we manage ongoing compliance by providing clearer information, advance reminders and practical guidance about what is required and when. This will help customers plan for and meet their requirements, while giving SA Power Networks greater confidence that generating systems continue to operate in accordance with their approved arrangements.