Small Generator Interconnection

This page provides more detailed information on submitting a Small Generator Interconnection Request. The interconnection of generators to the Federal Columbia River Transmission System is governed by Attachment N to BPA's Open Access Transmission Tariff and the Small Generator Interconnection Business Practice.

A Small Generator can be a generator or an aggregation of generators, whose single or combined generating capacity is greater than 0.2 MW and equal to or less than 20 MW.

Applicability of SGIP

BPA will review factors such as the following to determine if a request is subject to the SGIP:

• The Generating Facility has been or will be constructed so that it can and will be metered separately and discreetly from any other project.
• The Generating Facility has been or will be constructed so that the Transmission Operator views its operation as independent of any other Generating Facility.
• The Generating Facility has been or will be constructed so that if a special protection system (e.g. a remedial action scheme) is a requirement for interconnection of the project, any such special protection system action could and may be initiated for, and effective on, the subject Generating Facility independently of any other Generating Facility.
• Any site permit related to the Generating Facility addresses only the Generating Facility in the Interconnection Request and no other Generating Facility, whether larger in scope or not.
• The Generating Facility occupies a discrete and distinguishable topographical footprint, not commingled in any way with any other Generating Facility.
• Whether the Plan of Service and Interconnection Facilities provide Interconnection Service to the Generating Facility alone, or to other facilities.
• The ownership structure and any Affiliate relationships of the owner of the Generating Facility or the entity submitting the Interconnection Request.

Submitting an Interconnection Request

To initiate a Small Generator Interconnection Request an Interconnection Customer must submit the following to Interconnection@bpa.gov:

• Small Generator Interconnection Request (Attachment 2)
• Non-refundable application fee of $2,500 (Payment and Remittance Instructions)
• Site Control 

The Interconnection Request’s Queue Position within the queue shall be assigned based upon the date and time of receipt of the Interconnection Request.