A teaser says "100 MW grid connected", "power confirmed by RTE" or "ready to energise". Behind the same words sit very different documents, and years of difference in the energisation date. Buyers often find out once committed. Before signing an option, a letter of intent or a financing, one question matters: which document proves this power, and what does it actually secure?
DOES YOUR SITUATION LOOK LIKE ONE OF THESE?
Xavier WatrelosHV grid connection & industrial projects
THE PROBLEM: SAME WORDS, VERY DIFFERENT DOCUMENTS
A connection request filed: a process started, with no place in the queue
An accepted connection offer (PTF): a queue position and reserved capacity, to be maintained every year
A signed connection agreement: a firmer commitment on works and timing
Emails or a meeting with the grid operator: no binding value
See which connection document actually secures a site.
WHAT WE CHECK
The document behind the claim: type, date, power, connection point, conditions and stated cost. The holder: which company the request is in, and whether it is the one you are buying or financing; RTE and Enedis procedures set no rule for transfer to another applicant, so this is settled in the contracts, with a lawyer. The queue position: entry date, payments, annual maintenance, land control, justified power. See keeping a queue position. A realistic energisation date: grid works, substation to build or reinforce, large transformer lead times of 48 to 60 months in Europe. See transformer lead times. What is missing: permits, appeals, conditions, phased or limited power.
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
An energisation date range, with its assumptions
The red flags in the file
Written questions for the seller and documents to require
A debrief call
Fast document review, usually one to two weeks depending on the file, fixed fee. To compare several sites, see site screening and score; for financing, lender due diligence.
OUR RULES
No commission on any land or project, and never working for the seller of a site we check for you. Our reading is technical and is not legal advice; RTE and Enedis decisions are not ours. Best-efforts obligation.
WHO IS INVOLVED
Xavier Watrelos reads the RTE and Enedis documents, coordinated by Frédéric Arnaud, with a partner lawyer when transfer or contracts raise questions. See also distressed project acquisition.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does a 'connected' site always have an accepted connection offer?
No. The word is used for very different documents: exploratory study, filed request, accepted offer, signed agreement. Only an accepted and maintained offer gives a place in RTE's queue.
How long does the check take?
Usually one to two weeks on documents, depending on how many are provided and their quality.
Do you also work for sellers?
Not on the same site. We never check, for a buyer, a site whose seller we advise.