Article 4Application to existing HVDC systems and DC-connected power park modules
1.Except for Articles 26, 31, 33 and 50, existing HVDC systems and existing DC-connected power park modules are not subject to the requirements of this Regulation, unless:
(a)the HVDC system or DC-connected power park module has been modified to such an extent that its connection agreement must be substantially revised in accordance with the following procedure:
the HVDC system or DC-connected power park module owners who intend to undertake the modernisation of a plant or replacement of equipment impacting the technical capabilities of the HVDC system or DC-connected power park module shall notify their plans to the relevant system operator in advance;
if the relevant system operator considers that the extent of the modernisation or replacement of equipment is such that a new connection agreement is required, the system operator shall notify the relevant regulatory authority or, where applicable, the Member State; and
the relevant regulatory authority or, where applicable, the Member State shall decide if the existing connection agreement needs to be revised or a new connection agreement is required and which requirements of this Regulation shall apply; or
(b)a regulatory authority or, where applicable, a Member State decides to make an existing HVDC system or existing DC-connected power park module subject to all or some of the requirements of this Regulation, following a proposal from the relevant TSO in accordance with paragraphs 3, 4 and 5.
2.For the purposes of this Regulation, an HVDC system or DC-connected power park module shall be considered existing if:
(a)it is already connected to the network on the date of entry into force of this Regulation; or
(b)the HVDC system owner or DC-connected power park module owner has concluded a final and binding contract for the purchase of the main generating plant or HVDC equipment by two years after the entry into force of the Regulation. The HVDC system owner or DC-connected power park module owner must notify the relevant system operator and relevant TSO of conclusion of the contract within 30 months after the entry into force of the Regulation.
The notification submitted by the HVDC system owner or DC-connected power park module owner to the relevant system operator and to the relevant TSO shall at least indicate the contract title, its date of signature and date of entry into force and the specifications of the main generating plant or HVDC equipment to be constructed, assembled or purchased.
A Member State may provide that in specified circumstances the regulatory authority may determine whether the HVDC system or DC-connected power park module is to be considered an existing or new HVDC system or DC-connected power park module.
3.Following a public consultation in accordance to Article 8 and in order to address significant factual changes in circumstances, such as the evolution of system requirements including penetration of renewable energy sources, smart grids, distributed generation or demand response, the relevant TSO may propose to the regulatory authority concerned, or where applicable, to the Member State to extend the application of this Regulation to existing HVDC systems and/or DC-connected power park modules.
For that purpose a sound and transparent quantitative cost-benefit analysis shall be carried out, in accordance with Articles 65 and 66. The analysis shall indicate:
(a)the costs, in regard to existing HVDC systems and DC-connected power park modules, of requiring compliance with this Regulation;
(b)the socioeconomic benefit resulting from applying the requirements set out in this Regulation; and
(c)the potential of alternative measures to achieve the required performance.
4.Before carrying out the quantitative cost-benefit analysis referred to in paragraph 3, the relevant TSO shall:
(a)carry out a preliminary qualitative comparison of costs and benefits;
(b)obtain approval from the relevant regulatory authority or, where applicable, the Member State.
5.The relevant regulatory authority or, where applicable, the Member State shall decide on the extension of the applicability of this Regulation to existing HVDC systems or DC-connected power park modules within six months of receipt of the report and the recommendation of the relevant TSO in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 65. The decision of the regulatory authority or, where applicable, the Member State shall be published.
6.The relevant TSO shall take account of the legitimate expectations of HVDC system owners and DC-connected power park modules owners as part of the assessment of the application of this Regulation to existing HVDC systems or DC-connected power park modules.
7.The relevant TSO may assess the application of some or all of the provisions of this Regulation to existing HVDC systems or DC-connected power park modules every three years in accordance with the criteria and process set out in paragraphs 3 to 5.