Regulation, paperwork and institutions
Grid operator
Also known as: OR, distribution company, electricity distributor.
Definition
The grid operator is the company responsible for the electricity distribution networks in your area. It is the one that receives a solar system's connection application, reviews the design, authorises the connection and installs the bidirectional meter.
Sources: Resolución CREG 174 de 2021 (net metering regulation) (opens in a new tab)
It should not be confused with the retailer. The grid operator runs the physical infrastructure — lines, transformers, meters — of a given territory; the retailer is the one that sells you the energy and issues your bill. In many cases the same company performs both roles, but they are distinct functions: your system's connection is filed with the operator, while the settlement of surplus appears on the retailer's bill.
In a solar project, the grid operator is what sets the timeline. It reviews the design and the technical documentation, verifies that the installation meets the applicable requirements — including RETIE — authorises the connection and schedules the meter change. That calendar is not controlled by the installer, however realistic their commercial promise.
Every operator has its own forms, channels and practices, so the installer's prior experience with the operator for your area is a genuine factor in how smoothly it goes. It is a legitimate question when comparing proposals: how many applications they have filed with that company and within what timeframes.
The essentials of Grid operator
- It operates the distribution networks in your area; the retailer sells the energy.
- It receives the connection application and approves the system design.
- It installs the bidirectional meter that enables net metering.
- It sets the real timeline of the process, not the installer.
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Frequently asked questions about Grid operator
Which is my grid operator?
It usually appears on your electricity bill, which identifies both the retailer and the grid operator for the area. If they are the same, the process is handled with a single company; if not, the connection application goes to the operator even though another company issues the bill.
How long does the grid operator take to approve the connection?
It depends on the operator, on the quality of the documentation submitted and on the workload at the time. The regulation sets deadlines for the various stages, but real timelines vary; complete, well-presented documentation from the outset is what shortens the process most.
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