Distribution Customer Connections Review

The OEB has issued a letter launching Phase II of the Distribution Customer Connections (DCC) Review and invites interested stakeholders to register to participate in the Customer Connections Advisory Group.

The Customer Connections Advisory Group will provide advice and feedback on the implementation of the distribution-related proposals set out in the OEB’s Report to the Minister of Energy and Mines, Streamlining Ontario’s Electricity Connection Framework: Enabling Growth and Meeting Customer Expectations. From the list of registered participants, the OEB plans to establish a smaller DCC Working Group to support more detailed work on developing and implementing the proposals.

This phase will focus on:

• developing a Load Customer Connection Procedures document,
• establishing a coordinated transmitter-distributor process where transmission work is required,
• enhancing communication and information-sharing requirements and
• establishing record-keeping, reporting and performance measurement requirements for the distribution customer connection process.

Stakeholders interested in participating in the Customer Connections Advisory Group, including members of the 2025 DCC Working Group who wish to continue their involvement, are asked to register by June 23, 2026 in accordance with the instructions in the letter.

The first Customer Connections Advisory Group meeting will be held virtually on July 14, 2026.

For more information about this phase of the consultation:

• Read the letter: Phase II DCC Review launch letter
• Read the Report: Streamlining Ontario’s Electricity Connection Framework

The OEB has publicly released its report to the Minister of Energy and Mines entitled, Streamlining Ontario's Electricity Connection Framework: Enabling Growth and Meeting Customer Expectations.

The Report was informed by the OEB’s review of distribution and transmission customer connection procedures across Ontario’s electricity sector, including input from stakeholders through working groups, written submissions and surveys. For the Distribution Customer Connections Review, Part I of the Report identifies proposed actions to improve the clarity, consistency, transparency and timeliness of distributor connection processes for load customers.

The distribution customer connection-related proposals include:

• developing a Load Customer Connection Procedures document,
• establishing a coordinated transmitter-distributor process where transmission work is required,
• enhancing communication and information-sharing requirements and
• establishing reporting and performance measurement.

The OEB will now move into the implementation phase (Phase II) of the Distribution Customer Connections Review. This work will be coordinated with the related Streamlining Transmission Connections consultation, where appropriate.

For more information:

• Read the Report: Streamlining Ontario’s Electricity Connection Framework
• Visit the related consultation page: Streamlining Transmission Connections consultation

The OEB has provided to the Minister of Energy and Mines its report, Streamlining Ontario’s Electricity Connection Network: Enabling Growth and Meeting Customer Expectations.

This report was informed by a comprehensive review of distribution and transmission customer connection procedures across Ontario’s electricity sector. It responds to the Integrated Energy Plan directive, issued to the OEB on June 12, 2025, as well as the December 19, 2024, Letter of Direction.

We are appreciative of the Ministry, the sector and all stakeholders for their participation and input throughout the consultation, which helped inform the report’s development. We welcome feedback from the Minister regarding next steps.

The OEB has published an updated list of members for its newly established DCC Working Group, following the supplemental decision letter issued on August 11, 2025.

• DCC Working Group Members

In its July 31, 2025 letter, the OEB announced the members of the newly established DCC Working Group. Coming together are 28 entities representing a diverse cross-section of the energy sector. Participants include consumer advocacy groups, electricity distributors, a gas distributor, non-governmental organizations, and large load customers (including developers). The letter also addresses matters related to cost award eligibility.

Read the OEB’s letter for more information.

• Letter