|
ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS
Regulation
Purpose and application
1. Purpose
2. Application
3. National interconnected
transmission system
4. Requirement for transmission
licence
Obligations of the Utility and
grid participants
5. Obligations of the Utility as
transmission system operator
6. Responsibilities of the
transmission system asset owners
7. Responsibilities of the
Utility as vested owner of
transmission system
8. Obligations of wholesale
supplier
9. Obligations of distribution
utilities and bulk customers
10: Additional obligations of
grid participants
Management and governance of the
transmission system
11. Preparation and issue of the
Grid Code
12. Equal application of Grid
Code
13. Publication of procedures
14. Transparency
Compliance and oversight
15. Transmission system
oversight
16. Functions of Electricity
Technical Committee regarding
transmisssion system
17. Exercise of discretion
18. Conduct of Utility
Contents of the Grid Code
19. Reporting
20. Parts of the Grid Code
21. Planning Sub-Code
22. Connection Sub-Code
23. Standards of Performance
rules
24. Technical rules of practice
25. Operations Sub-Code
26. Scheduling and Dispatch
Sub-Code
27. Safety Sub-Code
28. Metering Sub-Code
29. Complaints and resolution of
disputes ~O. Revision of Grid
Code
Miscellaneous
31. Offences and penalties
32. Transitional provisions
33. Interpretation
SCHEDULE
ELECTPJCITY TRANSMISSION
(TECHNICAL, OPERATIONAL AND
STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE) RULES
2008 (LI 1934)
IN exercise of the power
conferred on the Board of the
Energy Commission by sections 27
and' 28 of the Energy Commission
Act, 1997 (Act 541) these Rules
are made this 4th day of June,
2008.
Purpose and application
Purpose
1.
(1) These rules
(a) define the national
interconnected transmission
system; and
(b) establish the requirements,
procedures, practices and
standards that govern the
development, operation,
maintenance and use of the high
voltage national interconnected
transmission system.
(2) The rules shall ensure that
the transmission system provides
a fair, transparent, non
discriminatory, open access,
safe, reliable, secure and cost
efficient transmission and
delivery of electricity.
Application
2.
(1) These rules shall apply to
the Utility and persons
connected to the transmission
system including
(a) wholesale electricity
suppliers licensed by the
Commission, (b) electricity
distribution utilities licensed
by the Commission, and
(c) bulk customers of
electricity duly authorised by
the Commmission.
(2) The Utility, as the
independent operator of the
transmission system, is not a
grid participant.
(3) A grid participant is a
person who has a valid
Connection Agreement with the
Utility to
(a) construct, own and connect a
facility to the transmission
system. infrastructure,
(b) inject, wheel, or off-take
power for its own use or for
retail,
(c) provide ancillary services,
or
(d) exchange power either with
the electricity networks of
neighbouring countries or within
the West African Power Pool.
National interconnected
transmission system
3.
The transmission system shall
comprise electricity plant and
equipment within the borders of
Ghana that function or are
operated at any voltage higher
than 36kV as well as any
associated feeder or supply
equipment that are for shared or
for common use.
Requirement for transmission
licence
4.
The Utility shall be granted a
transmission licence by the
Commission.
Obligations of the Utility and
grid participants
Obligations of the Utility as
transmission system operator
5.
(1) The Utility shall
independently operate the
transmission system to offer
fair, transparent, open access
and non-discriminatory services
in accordance with the
prescribed quality to grid
participants.
(2) The Utility shall operate
the transmission system to
provide services in accordance
with the Performance Reliability
Standards.
(3) Without limiting the effect
of sub-rules (1) and (2), the
Utility shall
(a) operate the transmission
system equipment, installations
and facilities in accordance
with the operating instructions
and guidelines for the
respective equipment and in
accordance with Prudent Utility
Practice;
(b) provide open, fair and
non-discriminatory access and
connection to the transmission
system for applicants, licensees
and grid participants, in
accordance with the regulations
and provisions of these Rules;
(c) plan for the expansion of
the transmission system to
adequately meet the requirements
of forecast demand growth,
potential generation, customers
and reliability standards; (
d) schedule generation to meet
forecast demand in accordance
with merit order principles;
(e) carry out real-time
operations including dispatching
and controlling the output of
the generating units to ensure
reliability and economic
operation of the transmission
system;
(f) control and operate the
transmission system to ensure
the security of the network,
within its technical limits and
in accordance with the
provisions of these Rules;
(g) undertake' outage planning
and maintenance coordination for
equipment and facilities which
will or are likely to impact on
the reliability of the
transmission system;
(h) plan, develop, install and
maintain an adequate central
Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition system together with
necessary associated backups,
telecommunication systems and
remote terminal units at
transmission substations and
generating stations and
coordinate their expansion and
upgrade;
(i) provide, install, operate
and maintain the main bulk
supply metering system of the
transmission system;
(j) administer power supply and
power purchase transactions;
(k) monitor and record capacity
and energy balance and perform
the accounting and billing
function in respect of the ,
transmission system as well as
other supply services;
(I) coordinate the operations
and liaise with interconnected
utilities and the West African
Power Pool Secretariat to carry
out studies and analyses to
ensure reliable operation of the
West African Power Pool;
(m) develop a system operation
manual for the co-ordinated
operation of the transmission
system;
(n) supervise and ensure
adherence to safety rules by
grid participants; and
(o) perform any other service
that may be determined by the
Commission from time to time.
(4) The Utility shall collect
information and data, publish
reports and disseminate the
information with regards to the
performance of the transmission
system.
(5) The Utility shall liaise
with the Public Utilities
Regulatory Commission and grid
participants to develop and
ensure consistent and effective
application of detailed
procedures and manuals which
will be approved by the
Commission and will form part of
the Grid Code.
(6) The Utility shall operate
the transmission system
efficiently and
in accordance with these Rules
and the Grid Code.
Responsibilities of transmission
system asset owners
6.
A transmission system asset
owner shall
(a) vest in or delegate to the
Utility the authority to grant
and control connections to its
facilities in order to
facilitate open, fair and
non-discriminatory access to its
transmission assets by other
grid participants;
(b) design, install and maintain
its transmission equipment to
meet system performance and
reliability requirements;
(c) design, install and maintain
its protection system to ensure
timely disconnection of faulty
facilities and equipment;
(d) execute the instructions of
the Utility with respect to
system operation limits and
performance standards;
(e) cooperate with the Utility
and other grid participants in
the discharge of system security
responsibilities;
(f) provide accurate and timely
data and information to the
Utility; and
(g) implement the system
expansion plans developed by the
Utility.
Responsibilities of the Utility
as vested owner of transmission
system
7.
The Utility shall be responsible
to
(a) grant and control
connections to the transmission
system in order to facilitate
open, fair and
non-discriminatory access to the
transmission assets by other
grid participants;
(b) co-ordinate the design,
installation and maintenance of
the transmission equipment to
meet system performance and
reliability requirements;
(c) co-ordinate the design,
installation and maintenance of
the protection system to ensure
timely disconnection of faulty
facilities and equipment; and
(d) co-ordinate the
implementation of the system
expansion plans developed by the
Utility.
Obligations of wholesale
supplier
8.
A wholesale supplier's
obligations with respect to the
transmission system are:
(a) to design, install and
maintain its plant and equipment
to meet the requirements of the
Connection Sub-code and other
relevant regulations;
(b) to observe at all times the
applicable requirements and
conditions of connection for
generating units according to
agreements with the Utility and
relevant transmission system
asset owners;
(c) to provide the Utility with
information on its available
capacities and the operational
constraints to its generation
units in order to facilitate
dispatch under emergency system
operating situations; .
(d) to develop maintenance plans
for its equipment and provide
necessary information to the
Utility for outage planning and
maintenance coordination;
(e) to operate its plant and
equipment in accordance with the
dispatch instructions of the
Utility and to meet system
performance and reliability
requirements in a manner that is
consistent with the reliable
operation of the transmission
system; and .
(f) to provide accurate and
timely data and reports to the
Utility .
Obligations of distribution
utilities and bulk customers
9.
A distribution utility's or a
bulk customer's obligations with
respect to the transmission
system are to
(a) operate its distribution
network or the facility
connected to the transmission
system so as to ensure safe and
reliable operation to meet
reliability standards;
(b) comply with the operational
instructions of the Utility in a
manner that is consistent with
the reliable operation of the
transmission system;
(c) ensure that its facility or
network operations do not
degrade the performance of the
transmission system by taking
the necessary measures to
promptly remedy any degradation;
and
(d) procure and deploy adequate
reactive electricity
compensation and other devices
to meet the obligations under
these Rules and the Grid Code.
Additional obligations of grid
participants
10.
A grid participant shall
maintain and operate its
equipment forming part of its
facilities in' accordance with
(a) the relevant laws,
(b) permits granted,
(c) Prudent Utility Practice,
and
(d) applicable international
standards.
Management and governance of the
transmission system
Preparation and issue of the
Grid Code
11.
The Commission shall prepare and
issue the Grid Code to govern
the technical operation of the
national interconnected
transmission system.
Uniform application of Grid Code
12.
(1) The Grid Code shall be
equally and uniformly applied to
all entities.
(2) There shall be equitable
treatment with regard to
conditions and situations that
are similar.
Publication of procedures
13.
(1) The Utility shall develop
and publish in detail the
requirements, qualifications and
administrative procedures to be
fulfilled or followed by those
seeking to be provided services
by the Utility.
(2) The requirements in sub-rule
(1) shall include technical
standards for connecting
equipment, communication,
operating parameters and
performance benchmarks for
service provision.
(3) The qualifications in
sub-rule (1) shall include
legal, financial and technical
qualifications to be fulfilled.
(4) Administrative procedures in
sub-rule (1) shall include
administrative, financial,
technical and any other
procedures to be followed prior
to the commissioning of the
connection as well as the
obligations of the grid
participant for the continued
operation of the connection.
(5) The Utility shall make
available to the public copies
of the Grid Code and all related
publications upon the payment of
a prescribed fee.
Transparency
14.
(1) The Utility shall conduct
its affairs as the transmission
system operator in accordance
with published rules,
regulations and procedures that
are known to interested parties
such that all its actions are
predictable and in accordance
with the Grid Code.
(2) There shall be transparency
in all decisions, procedures,
application of rules,
regulations and charges of the
Utility regarding participation
in. the development of the
transmission system, connections
to the transmission system,
utilisation of transmission
system services, and allocation
of resources and costs of
service provision. .
(3) To ensure transparency in
access, use and operation of the
transmission system, only fees
and charges that have previously
been published by the Utility
may be levied on applicants or
participants and the dispatch of
generating plants shall strictly
follow the procedures prescribed
in the Scheduling and Dispatch
Sub-Code.
Compliance and oversight
Transmission system oversight
15.
The Electricity Technical
Committee established under
section 29 of the Act has the
mandate to oversee the.
activities and decisions of the
Utility towards ensuring the
attainment of the objectives of
the transmission system.
Functions of Electricity
Technical Committee regarding
transmission system
16.
(1) The primary function of the
Electricity Technical Committee
with respect to the transmission
system is to have technical
oversight of the operations of
the Utility to ensure
transparency, consistency and
fairness for grid participants.
(2) Without limiting the effect
of sub-rule (1), the
responsibilities of the
Committee with respect to the
transmission system are
(a) to monitor the general
performance of the transmission
system functions of the Utility
and make appropriate
recommendations to the
Commission;
(b) to make appropriate
recommendations for the smooth
operation of the transmission
system;
(c) to review the operations of
the transmission system as well
as studies relating to its
development;
(d) to review procedures,
manuals and the Grid Code for
the safe, efficient and reliable
operation of the transmission
system and make appropriate
recommendations to the
Commission;
(e) to resolve disputes referred
to it by grid participants;
(f) to ensure the effective and
consistent application of the
rules and standards in the Grid
Code; and
(g) to perform any other
functions conferred on it by the
Commmission.
(3) The Committee shall submit
quarterly report of its
activities to the Commission on
its assessment of the Utility's
governance and administration of
the Grid Code and make
recommendations as may be found
appropriate.
Exercise of discretion
17.
(1) A person or the Utility
shall not take a decision
regarding the usage of or
provision of services by the
transmission system that is
incompatible or inconsistent
with the Grid Code.
(2) The Utility shall provide
reasons in writing to the
Commission for its decisions
where it exercises discretionary
power.
Conduct of the Utility
18.
(1) The Utility shall be
responsible for the good
governance and management of the
transmission system in
accordance with the Grid Code.
(2) The Utility shall not act on
advice, directions or
instructions that may subvert
the fundamental principles of
fairness, transparency,
non-discrimination and open
access in the governance and
management of the transmission
system.
Reporting
19.
The Utility shall provide
information to the Public
Utilities Regulatory Commission
and the Commission on the
performance of the transmission
system in a form and at such
times determined by the
Commmission.
Contents of the Grid Code
Parts of the Grid Code
20.
The Grid Code shall consist of
(a) a Planning Sub-Code,
(b) a Connection Sub-Code,
(e) standards of performance
rules,
(d) technical rules of practice,
(e) a Metering Sub-Code,
(f) complaints and dispute
resolution, and
(g) transitional provisions.
Planning Sub-Code
21.
(1) The Planning Sub-Code shall
specify the planning
responsibility for grid
developments and policy,
organisational procedures,
standards or criteria to be
applied.
(2) The Planning Sub-Code shall
indicate information required to
be supplied by grid participants
to facilitate the evaluation of
(a) impact of the connection of
new facilities,
(b) identification of
congestion, and
(c) the planning for expansion
or development of the
transmission network having
regard to its adequacy to meet
the needs of all users.
(3) Without limiting sub-rules
(1) and (2), the Planning
Sub-Code shall address issues
including
(a) the responsibility for
planning of the grid,
(b) the formulation of a grid
development plan and procedures
for its implementation,
(c) the grid planning criteria
to be adopted, and
(d) the sources of data for
preparing grid planning studies.
Connection. Sub-Code
22,
(1) The Connection Sub-Code
shall set out the basic rules
and conditions for connection
and access to the transmission
system or to a grid
participant's system.
(2) Without limiting sub-rule
(1), the Connection Sub-Code
shall:
(a) provide the framework, rules
and guidelines for connection to
the transmission system to
facilitate the harmonious and
coordinated development of the
transmission system;
(b) set out the principles and
rules governing access to
transmission system services;
(e) establish the procedures to
be followed· by a grid
participant to set up or modify
a connection to the transmission
system;
(d) specify the technical,
design and operational criteria
at the grid participant's
connection point; and
(e) define the data exchange
requirements between the grid
participant and the Utility.
Standards of Performance rules
23.
(1) The Standards of Performance
rules shall specify the minimum
technical performance benchmarks
for monitoring the operations of
the Utility and the grid
participants including matters
relating to
(a) voltage stability,
(b) maximum number of scheduled
and unscheduled outages,
(c) number and duration of load
shedding periods, and
(d) metering.
(2) Without limiting the effect
of sub-rule (1), the Standards
of Performance Sub-Code shall
(a) define the minimum level of
quality of electric power supply
in the transmission system,
(b) define the minimum
reliability standards,
benchmarks and performance
targets for the transmission
system,
(c) establish standards and
mechanisms for information and
data exchange and disclosures
among the Utility and grid
participants, and
(d) define monitoring and event
reporting standards to be
applied by the Utility.
Technical rules of practice
24.
The technical rules of practice
shall consist of
(a) the Operations Sub-Code,
(b) the Scheduling and Dispatch
Sub-Code, and
(c) the Safety Sub-Code.
Operations Sub-Code
25.
(1) The Operations Sub-Code
shall define
(a) the general operations
arrangements,
(b) the obligations of grid
participants, and
(c) the policies, criteria and
procedures
required to ensure a coordinated
operation of the transmission
system in a manner consistent
with the security of supply and
reliability requirements.
(2) The security of supply and
reliability requirements shall
be set out in a technical
schedule approved by the
Commission taking into account
any expected or real constraints
on the generation and
transmission systems.
Scheduling and Dispatch Sub-Code
26.
(1) There shall be established a
transparent scheduling and
dispatch process that will
ensure that the varying demand
on the grid is met in the most
economic manner bearing in mind
the limitations on the
transmission system, security
and other relevant requirements
of the transmission system.
(2) Without limiting the effect
of sub-rule (1), the Scheduling
and Dispatch Sub-code shall
include the following:
(a) responsibilities of the
Utility, generating plants,
retailers and bulk customers in
the scheduling and dispatch
process, including suppliers and
customers in the West African
Power Pool system;
(b) load forecasting
obligations, procedures and
methodologies;
(c) operational criteria, for
the preparation of the
generation schedule and
procedures for issuance of
dispatch instructions;
(d) the process and requirements
for the preparation of the
generation schedule;
(e) the central dispatch
procedures; and
(f) requirements relating to the
availability for dispatch of
sufficient ancillary services
including regulation and reserve
services, reactive power support
and voltage control and black
start services so that the
system operator can maintain the
reliability of the grid,
including requirements under
emergency conditions.
Safety Sub-Code
27.
(1) The Safety Sub-Code shall
set out the safety arrangements
which govern the interface
between the Utility's network
and grid participants'
facilities in order to ensure
safe working conditions for
personnel working on or in close
.proximity to transmission
system equipment or equipment at
the connection points.
(2) Without limiting sub-rule
(1), the safety rules shall
define procedures and
responsibilities for achieving
safety of persons from inherent
dangers and shall include the
following provisions:
(a) to make available the
equipment concerned for the
work,
(b) to establish safe conditions
for work,
(c) to authorise the
commencement of work,
(d) to receive the authority to
commence work and execute the
work,
(e) to supervise safety during
the work and clearing the
authority when the work is
terminated or completed,
(f) to cancel the authority on
termination on completion of the
work, and
(g) to restore the system to
normal.
Metering
Sub-Code
28. (1) The Metering
Sub-Code sets out the
requirements for standards,
procedures and guidelines in
respect of metering at the
connection points within the
national interconnected
transmission system in order to
ensure accurate and transparent
accounting, billing and
settlement for energy sales and
purchase transactions.
(2) Without limiting sub-rule
(l), the Metering Sub-code
shall:
(a) set out provisions relating
to design, specifications,
installation, maintenance and
testing of metering installation
equipment, and
(b) describe provisions relating
to security and rights of access
to metering data, settlement and
auditing.
Complaints and resolution of
disputes
29. (1) The
procedure for filing complaints
and the resolution of disputes
among the Utility and grid
participants shall be specified
in the Grid Code.
(2) Without limiting other
provisions of these Regulations,
a dispute concerning the Grid
Code shall be settled by
negotiation between the parties.
(3) Where the dispute cannot be
resolved by negotiation, the
patties shall refer the matter
for mediation. .
(4) Where the mediation fails,
the matter shall be referred to
the Commission which shall set
up an arbitration panel under
the Arbitration Act, 1961 (Act
38) and settle any dispute where
the grid participants cannot
reach an agreement.
Revision of Grid Code
30.
(1) The Commission shall be
responsible for the revision of
the Grid Code.
(2) Proposals for Grid Code
revision shall be in writing and
be submitted to the Commission.
(3) The Commission shall
receive, register and
acknowledge submissions and
notify the grid participants of
such proposals and make copies
available to them for comments.
Miscellaneous
Offences and penalties
31.
(1) Where the Utility or a grid
participant contravenes any
obligation imposed under these
Regulations, the Commission may
,impose a penalty on the Utility
or grid participant as specified
in the Schedule.
(2) A person who contravenes a
provision of these Regulations
commits an offence and is liable
on summary conviction to a fine
of not more than two hundred and
fifty penalty units or term of
imprisonment of not more than
one year or both.
(3) Where an offence under these
Regulations is committed by a
body corporate, a partnership or
other firm, every director or
officer of that body corporate
or any member of the partnership
or firm or other person
concerned with the management of
the grid participant or the
Utility, shall be considered to
have committed the offence and
is on summary conviction, liable
to pay a penalty not exceeding
one thousand penalty 'units or
to a term of imprisonment not
exceeding five years or to both.
Transitional provisions
32.
Until the commencement of the
Grid Code the Utility shall
operate the transmission system
based on existing rules and
Prudent Utility Practice.
Interpretation
33.
In these Regulations, unless the
context otherwise requires
"Act" means the Energy
Commission Act, 1997, (Act 541);
"ancillary service" means a
service necessary to support the
transmission of energy from a
generation resource to a load
while maintaining reliable
operation of the transmission
system;
"asset owner" means a person who
owns the whole or part of the
transmission system
infrastructure or any facility
connected to the national
interconnected transmission
system; "black start" means the
start-up of a generating unit
from a source other than the
grid such as a diesel generator;
"bulk customer" means a customer
that purchases or receives
electric power of such amount or
level that the Commission may
specify;
"Commission" means the Energy
Commission established under the
Act;
"Committee" means the
Electricity Technical Committee;
"Connection Agreement" means an
agreement between the Utility
and a grid participant that
seeks connection of its
facilities to the national
interconnected transmission
system that sets out the rights,
obligations and liabilities of
both parties;
"connection point" means the
point of physical linkage to or
with the transmission system for
the purpose of enabling the flow
of electricity as the boundary
between the transmission system
and a facility or other
equipment;
"dispatch" means the operating
control of an integrated
electric system to assign
specific generating units and
other sources of supply to meet
the relevant demand as the load
rises or falls;
"distribution utility" means a
person licensed under the Act to
distribute and sell electricity
without discrimination to
consumers in an area or zone
designated by the Commission;
"Electricity Technical
Committee" means the Electricity
sub-committee of the Electricity
and Natural Gas Technical
Committee established under
section 29 of the Act;
"Grid Code" means National
Electricity Grid Code;
"grid development plan" means a
ten-year transmission
development plan developed and
continuously updated by the
Electricity Transmission Utility
to ensure a coordinated
development of the national
interconnected transmission
System to provide adequate
transmission transfer capacity
without discrimination;
"grid participant" means a
wholesale supplier, distribution
utility or bulk customer with
facilities that are connected to
the national interconnected
transmission system;
"merit order" means ranking in
order of which a generation
plant should be used, based on
ascending order of price
together with amounts of
electricity that will be
generated;
"Minister" means the Minister
responsible for Energy;
"National Electricity Grid Code"
means the technical and
operational rules of practice
and standards of performance
rules developed and approved of
by the Commission;
"national interconnected
transmission system" means all
electricity plant and equipment
within the borders of the
country that function or are
operated at any voltage higher
than 36 kilovolts as well as any
associated feeder or supply
equipment that are for shared or
common use;
"Performance Reliability
Standards" means a set of
standards established in the
National Electricity Grid Code
for the purpose of monitoring
the performance of the
Electricity Transmission Utility
in the delivery of its services;
"person" includes a body
corporate, whether corporation
aggregate or corporation sole
and an unincorporated body of
persons as well as an
individual;
"prudent utility practice" means
the generally accepted design,
practice, method and operation
of a power system, to achieve
safety, dependability,
efficiency and economy, and to
meet utility and industry codes,
standards and regulations;
"real-time dispatch" means a
schedule determined by the
market clearing engine that
contains the actual quantities
of energy, reserve and
regulation schedule in respect
of a registered facility;
regulation" means the frequent
adjustment to a generator's
output so that any power system
frequency variation or imbalance
between load and the output from
generation facilities can be
corrected;
"reserve" means an ancillary
service consisting of generation
capacity that is available to,
or load that can be interrupted
by the Electricity Transmission
Utility in the event of an
unexpected outage of a.
scheduled plant;
"system operation manual" means
a manual that sets out the
policies, procedures, practices
or system adjustments that may
be automatically or manually
implemented by the system
operator within a specified time
frame to maintain the
operational integrity of the
national interconnected
transmission system;
"transmission system" means the
national interconnected
transmission system;
"Utility" means the public
utility granted a licence under
section 23(2) of the Energy
Commission Act, 1997 (Act 541)
to transmit electricity
throughout the country;
"vested owner" means a person
granted authority to take
ownership control over an item
or asset;
"West African Power Pool" means
the ECOWAS sub-regional
organization established to
create a pool and associated
interconnection and other
relevant infrastructure to
facilitate cross border
electricity trading among
participating member countries
with the objective of optimizing
the production and utilization
of energy resources in the
sub-region; and
"wholesale supplier" means a
person licensed under the Act to
install and operate a facility
to procure or produce
electricity for sale to a bulk
customer or to a distribution
company for distribution and
sale to consumers.
SCHEDULE
Prescribed Penalty in respect of
Rule 31 (l)
Category
Amount (GH˘)
Utility
3,000
Wholesale supplier
2,500
Distribution utility
2,000
Bulk customer
2,000
PROF. F. K. A. ALLOTEY
Chairperson
Energy Commission
Date of Gazette notification:
13th June, 2008.
Entry into force: 23rd October,
2008.
|
.gif)