On September 16, 2025, the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) changes to the Distribution System Code to implement a Capacity Allocation Model (CAM) to facilitate housing development connections came into effect.

A CAM may be used for large, multi-year, multi-developer expansions in a defined development area. The purpose of this model compared to the standard evaluation, is that ‘first movers’ do not bear the cost of the entire expansion, as was the case under the prior rules.

Each developer who connects to capacity built under the CAM contributes its share of the entire upstream infrastructure expansion based on their requested load.

Capital contributions are forecasted and recovered over a period that cannot exceed 15 years.

Customers who connect to the CAM area after Year 1 will also pay a financing charge to keep earlier contributors and the electricity ratepayers whole.

Electricity distributors will require binding financial commitments (e.g., letters of credit) for any agreed (i.e. committed) capacity.

CAM Qualifications

For Elexicon Energy to consider implementing a CAM project, these five (5) qualifications will be reviewed:

  1. A large, primarily residential area, is starting a new development where a final agreement and expansion plan has not already been finalized. While there may be schools, plazas, parks and commercial within the development, most of the load must be from the residential customers.
  2. More than one developer can be expected to connect in the area over more than a single year, and not up to 15 years in the future, and will include additional development and expansion requirements based on municipal plans.
  3. A level of maturity of the development plans has been reached, so that Elexicon Energy can begin planning the infrastructure build; i.e. a site plan is at minimum in development (i.e. it is known where roads and civil infrastructure will be in order to design the electricity infrastructure).
  4. Significant system expansion investments are needed to bring capacity to the area such as development / expansion of transformer or distribution stations or long distribution feeders.
  5. A significant portion of the planned capacity has financial commitments, whether upfront payment or letters of credit.

Methodology for Implementing a CAM – Appendix I

Estimated kW Demand Available

For all kinds of homes / residential units, on average, estimated demand is 3 kW. Please contact us to discuss your development’s requirements.

 

Important Considerations

The estimated demand shown above does not necessarily consider additional sources of demand per residence, such as electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps, battery storage, etc.

Contact

If you have a question or require support, email: dservices@elexiconenergycom. (Please include ‘CAM Request’ in the Subject line of your email.)