+ RTE will work with you, investigating flexible connection solutions that optimise your location, deadlines and costs.

Beneficiaries

• Consumers

The eligibility of your connection to the RTE network or the distribution system depends mostly on your level of consumption. RTE analyses whether your application qualifies for connection to the electricity transmission system.

The full terms and conditions for connection are available in Article 1.4.1 of the Technical Reference Documentation.  

The main steps of the connection process

We guide you in your connection project by offering various technical studies that will help you refine your project.

Through our personalised coaching, we are committed to:

• Contacting you within 2 weeks to clarify your needs and priorities for developing your connection offer: cost, timeframe and quality of electricity.
• Providing you with regular reporting on the key stages of your connection project.

The TFP request is your entry into the connection process. Please be aware that administrative procedures may affect the timeframe of the project before the work can begin. We also encourage you to prepare ahead for your connection application.

1. The exploratory study: A free (optional) first study

The aim of an exploratory study is to provide the Customer with a rapid estimate of the feasibility of its project as well as a general idea of the cost of the proposed connection solution and its time to completion. The exploratory study does not constitute a prerequisite for connection and does not imply commitment of any of the parties.

A request for an exploratory study is made through the completed specific data collection sheet D1 and sent to the grid connection department of RTE at the following address : rte-fcent-raccordement-conso-dist@rte-france.com. It should include the following information:

• A site of implantation
• Megawatt (MW) power
• The expected in-service date

Once all the required data have been collected, RTE will carry out a summary study of the technical feasibility of the connection (cost, delay and associated connection scheme), by mainly examining the current transit constraints and the capacity of existing works to meet the demand.

RTE sends the results of the exploratory study within six weeks of receipt of the full application. However, this deadline may be revised at the request of RTE with the agreement of the Customer (especially when the Customer submits a multiple application).

2. Confirmation of the connection solution defined in a previous exploratory study (optional step)

If you have a previous exploratory study and then decide to request the submission of a technical and financial proposal (TFP), you can email RTE (rte-fcent-raccordement-conso-dist@rte-france.com to confirm whether the connection solution previously identified in the exploratory study is still feasible.
RTE will confirm within 15 working days whether or not the solution is maintained. Where applicable, RTE will also inform you whether there are any competing offers likely to have an impact on your project or its review period.

3. Technical and Financial Proposal (TFP)

The purpose of the TFP is to establish, on the basis of data provided by the Customer, the conditions of the connection. It presents the chosen connection solution, the details of the work to be carried out, the details of the costs and the timelines for completion.

A TFP request is made through the completed specific data collection sheet D2 and sent to the grid connection department of RTE at the following address : rte-fcent-raccordement-conso-dist@rte-france.com. In addition to the information required at the exploratory stage, it must provide the details of your future electrical installation.

The elements that must be included in your D2 sheet for your application to be admissible are listed in article 5.1 of Chapter 1.4.1 of the Technical Reference Documentation. 

The connection request must also be accompanied by a proof of payment of the lump sum currently set at 50.4 k€ including VAT (42 k€ excluding VAT), as well as the intra-community VAT number and the billing address of the connection applicant.
 
From receipt of the complete data, RTE has a standard period of three months to carry out the connection study and provide the TFP. However, this deadline may be revised at the request of RTE depending on the complexity of the request.  

Under the TFP, RTE is committed to the connection scheme along with a maximum connection cost and time to completion, subject to certain reservations.
The customer has three months to accept the TFP from the date of receipt. To this end, the customer must return a signed copy to RTE along with the down payment agreed on in accordance with the schedule mentioned in the TFP, proof of ownership and control and proof of progress of the project (or, failing that, the payment of a lump sum of 1k€ / MW)

The approval sets of the process of adding to the queue and launches the Study phase consisting of detailed studies and administrative procedures.

No later than 6 months before the establishment of your connection agreement and no earlier than 6 months after the transmission of all the required documents, RTE will send you the specifications containing the requirements relating to your facility’s constructive capacities, the operation of protection systems, metering, and the exchange of information.

These requirements are designed to ensure that your facilities will be safely connected to the Public Transmission System.

4. The connection agreement

After signing the technical and financial proposal, RTE proposes the Connection Agreement which takes into account the result of the complementary studies, the consultations with companies and the administrative procedures required for the connection of the Customer’s facility.

It specifies the technical, legal and financial terms for the connection and specifically the conditions the facility must meet in order to be connected to the public transport system.

The signing of the connection agreement starts the connection setup phase and guarantees the financing of equipment orders and works.

4. Works phase

RTE carries out the work after signing the connection agreement and keeps you informed of progress.

5. Prior to implementation

RTE and the customer enter into a transmission system access contract, as well as the operating and implementation agreement.

The transmission system access contract sets out the commitments for metering, subscribed power, and planned service interruptions. It also specifies the terms of liability, pricing and billing.
The operating and implementation agreement defines the responsibilities of each participant to ensure proper insertion of the facility into the power system and the rules of operation and implementation to be followed to ensure the safety of persons and equipment.

• Consumer CART template.

• Designate a balance responsible party.

• Tariff guide.

6. Welcome to RTE

• Benefit from personalised services.

• Benefit from services regarding power supply quality.

• Access the electricity market

• See our solutions to access the grid or the electricity markets - Cataliz

Reference documentation

• Consumer connection procedure

• Consumer connection agreement

• Consumer PTF (Transmission System Access Contract)

• Shared connection PTF (Transmission System Access Contract)

• Consumer CART template

• Tariff guide

• Compliance check for the connection of a consumption facility

Contact

To submit a connection application, please contact the grid connection department of RTE at the following address : rte-fcent-raccordement-conso-dist@rte-france.com. If you are modifying an existing installation, please copy your usual sales contact.