Source - Ei RFG Undantagskriterier (2017)
Ei decision 2016-100304, dated 2017-02-02 — Energimarknadsinspektionens criteria for granting derogations from requirements in EU Regulation 2016/631 (RFG). Ei is required by RFG Article 61 to establish, publish, and notify the European Commission of the criteria it will use when deciding whether to grant derogations under Articles 62–63.
Document metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Energimarknadsinspektionen (Ei) |
| Diarienummer | 2016-100304 |
| Decision date | 2017-02-02 |
| Legal basis | RFG Art. 61 (obligation on NRA to specify derogation criteria) |
| Derogation application basis | RFG Arts. 60.1, 62–63 |
| Decision-maker | Generaldirektör Anne Vadasz Nilsson |
| Sent to | European Commission (DG Energy), Energi- och miljödepartementet |
Summary
RFG allows derogations from its requirements where exceptional local conditions justify them — for instance, where strict compliance would endanger local grid stability, or where safe operation of a generating unit requires conditions incompatible with the regulation (Recital 28, Art. 60). NRAs must specify and publish the criteria they will apply to such derogation requests.
Ei conducted a public consultation (September 2016 open meeting and bilateral discussions with Svenska kraftnät) before establishing seven criteria. All stakeholders who submitted views — producers, industrial electricity users, and Energiföretagen — accepted the final criteria.
The criteria are cumulative and must be weighed together. They are technology-neutral and principles-based rather than prescriptive rules: Ei retains case-by-case discretion once an application is submitted.
The seven criteria
| # | Criterion | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical location in the network | Grid strength varies. A generator in an already-weak part of the network increases the risk that compliance with RFG requirements would destabilise the local grid or harm neighbouring networks |
| 2 | Voltage at the connection point (kV) | Higher connection voltage = wider potential impact on system stability. Low-voltage connections limit any problem to local level; transmission-level connections can propagate disturbances across Sweden and into the Nordic system |
| 3 | Maximum continuous power (MW) | Size matters: a 3 MW unit affects the grid far less than a 300 MW unit. Smaller generators are more likely to qualify for derogation |
| 4 | Generator type | Whether the kraftproduktionsmodul is synchronous or not (i.e. a kraftparksmodul connected via power electronics) affects which RFG requirements apply and how compliance can be demonstrated |
| 5 | Energy source (primary energy) | Wind, hydro, nuclear, and gas have different technical and safety characteristics. Some (e.g. nuclear) have safety arrangements that may justify derogation from specific RFG requirements. Each source has different inherent flexibility in how it can respond to grid events |
| 6 | Impact on local and national grid stability | Whether granting the derogation would negatively affect voltage quality or increase outage risk in local or national networks. This criterion interacts with criteria 1–3 |
| 7 | Operational safety of the kraftproduktionsmodul | The derogation must not cause safety risks in the generating unit that would create grid-adverse effects that would not otherwise have occurred |
Process and governance
Derogation applications may be submitted by:
- Owners of kraftproduktionsanläggningar (generation asset owners)
- Berörda systemansvariga (DSOs to whose network the unit is connected)
- Berörda systemansvariga för överföringssystem (TSOs — primarily Svk)
Applications must include: reference to the specific RFG provision at issue, a detailed justification with supporting documents, a cost-benefit analysis, and evidence that the derogation would have no negative effect on cross-border trade (Arts. 62–63).
Ei may revise the criteria at most once per year if changed circumstances so require (Art. 61.2).
Relevance to wiki topics
| Topic | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Generator Connection Requirements | Derogation process is a core element of the connection requirements framework |
| Source - RFG (EU 2016-631) | This decision implements Art. 61 of RFG |
| Source - EIFS 2018-2 Nätanslutning av generatorer | EIFS sets the requirements from which derogation can be sought |
| Ei | Ei is the competent NRA; this decision establishes Ei’s derogation methodology |
| Energy Storage | Battery storage operators may seek derogations where RFG compliance conflicts with safe storage operation |
| Electric Grid Structure | Criteria 1–2 (location, voltage) reflect the physical hierarchy of the grid |