Offshore Wind Worldwide 2022 edition - Flipbook - Page 80
80
V. Grid and grid connection
A.Legal framework for the
connection to the onshore grid and
the establishment of the grid
connection
Grid connection is implemented and
operated by RTE which has, in practice, a
monopoly on the electricity transport
network in France.
RTE is involved upstream of the public
tenders to identify the capacity of the grids.
It is in charge of the management and the
global project ownership of the farms’
connection and the engineering of the
submarine connections and also finances
costs for the OWF implemented through
public tenders. The costs for developing and
building the OWF offshore and onshore grid
connections is included in RTE’s regulated
asset base financing scheme.
B.Planning and construction of
the grid connection system
RTE is responsible for undertaking the
works necessary for the grid connection
(including permitting), as well as their
operation and maintenance, from the
delivery point.
RTE needs to obtain its own authorisations
for the completion of its works. It also has to
Hogan Lovells
France
get an authorisation to use the maritime,
public domain39 and environmental
authorisation.40 In addition, RTE concludes
a connection contract with the producer/
operator before the commissioning of the
OWF, on the basis of a template approved by
the CRE.41 This contract defines the point of
connection, the features and performances
of the installation and the technical solution
chosen for this installation. For instance, the
CRE has recently approved the specific
connection conditions of the OWF of the first
and second public tenders.42
C. R
esponsibility for the cost of the
grid connection system
Before 1 January 2018, as for all the
transport grid connections, connection costs
were taken in charge by the OWF producer
and ultimately refunded through France’s
general electricity public service fund (in
French: contribution au service public de
l’électricité – CSPE), which is paid by final
users through their electricity bills.
A law dated 30 December 2017 has modified
this rule for the OWF projects implemented
through a public tender.43 According to
article L.342-7 of the Energy Code, RTE
shall, from now on, assume all costs for the
connection of the OWF, in accordance with
the technical conditions stated by the call for
tender’s specifications, including
abandonment costs if the project is cancelled
39 Articles L.2124-1 and R.2124-1 of the Code of public entities’ property.
40 Articles 181-1 and following, and R.181-54-1 and following of the Environment Code.
41 Article L.342-4 of the Energy Code.
42 Deliberation of the CRE n°2018-227 dated 8 November 2018.
43 Law n°2017-1839 dated 30 December 2017 ending research and oils exploitation and relating to diverse provisions on energy and
environment.