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Criteria

The maximum number of commercial operation date (COD) acceleration days that you are allowed to select depends on your criteria score as follows:

 

Criteria score

Maximum number of COD acceleration days

0

365 days (12 months)

1

455 days (~15 months)

2

545 days (~18 months)

3

635 days (~21 months)

4

725 days (~24 months)

 

You should assess how many points you are eligible for when filling out the application form and select the corresponding appropriate number of COD acceleration days.

In cases when you are awarded a lower criteria score than expected (for example, if the evidence submitted to the OPA is not sufficient to demonstrate that a criterion has been met), the OPA will reduce, if required, the number of COD acceleration days on the application to the maximum that is allowed according to the table above.

You will be awarded one point for each of the following criteria that your project satisfies, as set out below:

 

1         

 

Does not require a renewable energy approval

A project may not require a renewable energy approval because it has been designated as exempt in the new Ministry of the Environment regulation, or because it has already completed an environmental assessment and other required approvals under previous regulations.

2

 

 

Major equipment component confirmed

The applicant owns or has a firm order for a major component (which must meet domestic content requirements) as described below:

  • wind-towers, nacelles or turbine blades
  • solar PV - PV panels or inverters

3         

Successful experience with similar projects

The applicant control group has, or any three full-time employees of the applicant of the group each have, successful experience with planning and developing one or more similar facilities.

4         

Financial backing

The applicant has an agreement in place for an equity provider or group of equity providers that are providing 15 percent or more of the equity for the project. 

The designated equity provider(s) must collectively have a tangible net worth of at least $500 or more per kW of proposed contract capacity at the end of the most recent fiscal year.

Along with the application package, the applicant must provide a commitment letter from each designated equity provider. In addition, the applicant must provide year-end financial statements (preferably audited) for the past two fiscal years for each designated equity provider and a calculation of the total net worth.