ESA: Increase Plan Review Threshold for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) from 10kW to 12kW
May 1, 2026
This proposed change intends to reflect the current industry trend towards increasing standard equipment sizes of inverters, commonly reaching values greater than 10kW, and supports harmonization within the industry. The OEB (Ontario Energy Board) issued proposed amendments in October 2025 which included increasing the maximum threshold capacity for a micro-embedded generation facility to 12kW.
Rationale
The original threshold rating of 10kW was introduced in 2007 in Ontario Amendments to the OESC reflecting the microFIT and FIT programs which spurred an increasing number of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). Equipment with an output rating of greater than 10kW require customers to submit both a Plan Review to ESA and a Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) to the respective Utility.
Following the announced changes to the OEBs Distribution System Code, the ESA has been reviewing the threshold for Plan Review of DERs. With the intent to stay harmonized with OEB, while maintaining safety standards, ESA has reviewed the potential to increase that threshold to 12kW recognizing that the equipment, installation configurations at both ratings are typically the same.
Recognizing that the electrification transition continues across the province, this proposed change will maintain alignment and consistency within the industry. Further, raising the threshold for Plan Review submissions for DERs to 12kW will reduce some of the cost and time required to access that review process. In reviewing the data, there was no change in the general concern for these technologies within the 10kW to 12kW zone.
Industry stakeholders and customers have seen the value in Plan Review and can continue to avail themselves of the opportunity for Plan Review and/or schedule consultations for installations below the thresholds.
Designers and Installers shall continue to design systems in accordance with OESC requirements and ensure installations remain code compliant.
Proposed Change:
Amend Rule 2-010 (1)(e) as follows
2-010 Plans and specifications (see Appendix B)
Δ 1) Electrical work on any electrical installation shall not commence until plans have been submitted and examined by the Electrical Safety Authority where the electrical installation involves:
a) a three-phase consumer service or standby generation, equal to or in excess of 400 A circuit capacity
b) a single-phase consumer service or standby generation equal to or in excess of 600 A
c) a feeder greater than 1000 A
d) an emergency power supply for life safety systems as per Section 46, excluding unit equipment
e) any installations within the scope of Section 64 or bi-directional electrical vehicle supply equipment, with an output rating in excess of 10 12 kW
f) any installation of electrical vehicle supply equipment, with the exception of a single dwelling unit, where the total nameplate rating(s) of the electrical vehicle supply equipment including both existing and new is greater than 20% of the rating of the service equipment, or
g) any installation operating in excess of 750 V, excluding
i) installations of pole lines exclusively within the scope of Section 75
ii) that portion of an underground installation between a supply authority owned transformer and the related supply authority-owned switch, or
iii) replacement of electrical equipment as permitted by Subrule 2 c)
More Information on the Consultation Process
ESA, as the regulator of electrical safety in Ontario, is constantly reviewing the current electrical safety requirements to ensure the regulatory framework continues to provide the appropriate balance between the need to ensure safety while supporting modernization and eliminating unnecessary encumbrance on industry.
Following the announced changes to the Ontario Energy Board’s Distribution System Code, the ESA has been reviewing the threshold for Plan Review of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and considering raising the threshold to align with the OEB. Currently installation that are in excess of 10kW require a submission to the Plan Review division of ESA prior to construction. Recognizing that the electrification transition continues across the province, this proposed change will maintain alignment and consistency within the industry. Further, raising the threshold for Plan Review submissions for DERs to 12kW will reduce some of the cost and time required to access that review process. Industry stakeholders and customers have seen the value in Plan Review and can continue to avail themselves of the opportunity to submit to Plan Review and/or schedule consultations for installations below the thresholds.
ESA is proposed to issue a Director’s Order to increase the Plan Review Threshold for DERs from 10kW to 12kW. This proposed change intends to reflect the current industry trend towards increasing standard equipment sizes of inverters, commonly reaching values greater than 10kW, and supports harmonization within the industry.
