Capacity Allocation Model (CAM)

Overview

The Capacity Allocation Model (CAM) ensures a fair allocation of distribution capacity and the costs of system expansions required to serve multiple residential subdivisions and other customer connections in a qualifying development area. CAM is intended to reduce the upfront cost burden on a single developer by allocating costs among customers and developers that benefit from the expansion.

When CAM applies

CAM applies to system expansions that provide significant distribution capacity to a qualifying development area, for example construction of a distribution transformer station or long distribution feeders. CAM is not applicable to a system expansion that is constructed to accommodate a single customer connection that will be completed in a single year.

For the OEB methodology used to implement CAM, see OEB Appendix I: Methodology for Implementing a Capacity Allocation Model

Requirements to Qualify for CAM

To be considered for CAM treatment, the following conditions are typically required:

  1. A large, primarily residential development area is commencing development where the distributor has not yet entered into final connection agreements, and the expansion plan is not finalized.
  2. More than one developer is expected to connect over more than a single year, informed by municipal official plans or secondary plans.
  3. Development plans are sufficiently mature to support LDC planning, for example preliminary site plans that show roads and civil infrastructure locations required to design electrical infrastructure.
  4. Significant system expansion investments are required, such as development or expansion of transformer stations or long feeders.
  5. A significant portion of agreed committed and paid committed security is submitted, for example letters of credit or equivalent financial security.

It is expected that the distributor and developers will discuss forecasted load and requested capacity, so the CAM calculation reflects reasonable and agreed demand assumptions.

Typical Residential Demand Values (For Estimation)

To support consistent forecasting, the following typical values may be used for estimation:

  • Detached home: 3 kW
  • Semi detached home: 3 kW
  • Townhouse: 3 kW

These values are for estimation only. Please contact us to confirm demand assumptions for your specific development.

Contact Us

If you have questions about CAM or would like to discuss a development, please contact our Engineering Team at Click here to show mail address. You may also submit an inquiry through our Contact Us | NT Power page.