Contract development

Interconnection generation process

After a resource has completed the study phase and transmission plan deliverability of the interconnection process the customer must sign contracts and install metering and telemetry equipment. The ISO must model the resource in market systems before participation in the wholesale power market is allowed.

Generators within the ISO balancing area must establish:

Generator interconnection agreement

An interconnection 2-party agreement is established between the participating transmission owner (PTO) and interconnection customer, when the generating facility is connected to distribution facility. 

A 3-party agreement is established when a generating facility is connected to the California ISO controlled grid. A generator interconnection agreement is established prior to executing the market agreements required for interconnection with the California ISO.

Market agreements

Generators must enter into a participating generator agreement (PGA) and meter service agreement (MSA) with the ISO. After a resource has completed the study phases of the interconnection process, the interconnection customer must sign contracts that are part of the New Resource Implementation bucket 2 process.

ISO controlled grid connected generating facility

If you are a generating facility already connected to the California ISO controlled grid, please initiate the conversion process by sending the Interconnection Request Form for Modifications/Repowers/Conversions to RegulatoryContracts@caiso.com and NRI@caiso.com, which must include the most recent one-line diagram of the generating unit(s) showing the interconnection to the ISO controlled grid. The ISO will review and confirm the interconnection to the ISO controlled grid. Following this determination, please submit the below listed information to RegulatoryContracts@caiso.com. Please review the Business Practice Manual (BPM) for Generator Management for the detailed process for conversion to ISO markets for existing generators. 

Non-ISO controlled grid connected generating facility

If you are not connected to the ISO controlled grid, please commence the New Resource Implementation (NRI) process.

Conversion from two-party to three-party interconnection agreements

A specific interconnecting request form is used for projects converting from a two-party interconnection agreement with a Participating Transmission Owner (PTO) to three-party interconnection agreements to include the ISO.

Request transition to ISO interconnection

  • Either interconnection customer or participating transmission owner (PTO) sends email request to Regulatory Contracts including single-line diagram
  • ISO confirms 2- or 3-party agreement

Interconnection customer submits information and data

Step 1

  • Draft affidavit
  • Conversion interconnection request
  • Create RIMS project

Step 2

  • Positive sequence load flow files
  • Attachment A to Appendix 1
  • Copy of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Special Facilities Agreement, and study report (if applicable)
  • Initiate new resource interconnection (NRI) process

Validate and execute Generator Interconnection Agreement (GIA)

  • ISO validates information and data provided
  • ISO determines net MW to grid 
  • Interconnection customer submits notarized affidavit to ISO and PTO
  • PTO tenders GIA to interconnection customer and ISO
  • Execute GIA

Generator interconnection planning process

Continue on in the generator interconnection planning process.

Interconnection request & study

Resources connecting at the transmission level will follow ISO procedures explained in this section. New projects are required to complete a study process, starting with submitting an Interconnection Request. 

Transmission plan deliverability

Allocate or retain full or partial capacity deliverability status in a specified geographic or electrical area.

Queue management

A project is required to meet the milestones and obligations established in its agreements and may also request modifications. Modifications require a request into the queue management processes.

New resource implementation

As the final step, projects need to enter and complete the New Resource Implementation process to ensure deliverables and activities needed prior to operation are complete. This will ensure successful integration into the ISO market systems and grid.

Related ISO Tariff and Business Practice Manuals

To participate in the market, generators must enter into a Generator Interconnection Agreement (GIA), Participating Generator Agreement (PGA), and a Meter Service Agreement (MSA) with the ISO. For additional information on contract development, please email RegulatoryContracts@caiso.com. 

The California ISO operates under the terms and conditions of its FERC-approved tariff. Business practice manuals provide detailed rules, procedures and examples for the administration, operation, planning and accounting requirements of the ISO and the market that are consistent with the ISO tariff.

The ISO has filed Tariff Amendments to Comply with Order No. 2023. The documentation below contains draft language pending FERC approval. 

The current FERC approved Tariff sections are below.

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