S.L. 545.41 Art. 8Network connection for a single building unit.

(1) New standard network connections or alteration to an existing standard connection not exceeding 60 Amps on any phase shall be provided to the applicant in the case of a single building unit by the distribution system operator by extending the network infrastructure from the nearest suitable low voltage connection point or suitable substation, as determined by the distribution system operator, to the single building unit.

(2) Any civil works that may be required for the provision of the network connection, such as but not limited to trenching and laying of underground cables, may be carried out by the applicant:

(a) in conformity with the specifications provided by the distribution system operator;

(b) following approval by the distribution system operator; and

(c) under the distribution system operator’s supervision.

(3) Where the route length is beyond one hundred and fifty metres (150m) from the nearest suitable low voltage connection point or suitable substation, the applicant and, or developer, as applicable shall pay for the full cost of the low voltage extension, including any civil works which may be required, less the applicable connection fee stipulated in item 1 of the Sixth Schedule:

Provided that the distribution system operator may opt to extend the low voltage connection on a cost-sharing basis with the applicant and, or developer, which cost sharing is to be applied on a basis on the proportion of the kVA load used on one hand by pro rata the distribution system operator and on the other hand by the applicant and, or developer, as applicable. In such a case the distribution system operator shall retain the right to extend network connections from the said extension to third parties without making any additional payment or compensation to the applicant.

(4) Extensions that exceed one hundred and fifty metres

(150m) shall be made using the standard materials used by the distribution system operator, which shall be provided by the distribution system operator only if the voltage regulation is within the limits established in the network code. Where the voltage regulation goes beyond the limits established in the network code, a new substation shall be required for the network connection to the single building unit.

(5) When the low voltage extension referred to in this regulation has been fully financed by the applicant and, or the developer, the said applicant and, or developer, as applicable, upon submitting a request to the distribution system operator, shall be entitled to a refund, in accordance with the mechanism established and published by the distribution system operator in advance, for every new connection provided by the distribution system operator to other customers through the utilisation of the same low voltage extension:

Provided that:

(a) the entitlement to the said refund shall apply only up to ten (10) years from the commissioning date of the low voltage extension;

(b) the maximum cumulative refund to which the relevant applicant shall be entitled to shall not exceed sixty-five percent (65%) of the depreciated total amount paid by the said applicant for the low voltage extension;

(c) the costs of any trenching and laying of underground cables, carried out by the applicant and, or developer, as applicable, shall be included in the cost used to calculate the refund referred to in paragraph (b); and

(d) the costs of any trenching and laying of underground cables referred to in paragraph (c) shall be calculated by a perit appointed by the distribution system operator who shall base the calculation on the rates charged by the Authority for Transport in Malta and, or Infrastructure Malta or their successors at law for trenching contracts at the time the original works were carried out. The applicant and, or developer shall also provide the original invoice and bill of quantity for the said works and any related documents that the distribution system operator may reasonably require.