Electricity Production from Renewables Energies

6.2 Connection voltage

The connection modalities to the electric network of the production facilities and notably the technical constraints are defined by regulatory texts, such as decrees and orders [FRE 08a, 08b, 10a, 10b, FRE 08c]. Technical constraints mainly depend on the power to be connected, which defines the connection network. Table 6.1 gives for the French electric network, the connection voltage levels of the facilities according to their power.

Table 6.1. Connection voltage levels of the facilities according to their power

The production facilities thus come under:

– the transport network, if the installed power is higher than 12 MW. The connection is then carried out on a voltage level higher than or equal to 63 kV (HV field);

– the distribution network, if the installed power is lower than or equal to 12 MW (limit that can be exceptionally extended to 17 MW). The connection is then carried out at a voltage level lower than or equal to 20 kV (MV and LV field).