ELECTRICITY MINI GRID CODE

OF

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AF LIBERIA
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JUNE 2021
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Table of Contents

Foreword 7
PART A: GENERAL PROVISIONS 8
SECTION 1: PREAMBLE 9
1.1 Purpose and Scope of Mini Grid Code 9
1.2 Scope of Mini Grid Supply System 9
1.3 Structure of the Mini Grid Code 9
SECTION 2: ACCRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 11
SECTION 3: APPLICATION OF THE CODE 12
3.1 Main Actors, Processes and Installations 12
3.2 General Requirements 12
3.3 Service Provider Responsibilities 13

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SECTION 4: MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE OF THE MINI GRID CODE 14
4.1 Purpose and Scope 14
4.2 Conduct of Service Provider 14
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4.4
4.5
4.6
Role of LERC
Role of RREA
RREA to Report on Service Provider’s Performance to LERC
Revision of the Mini Grid Code
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PART B: LICENSING/ PERMITING PROVISIONS AND CONDITIONS 16
Introduction 16
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SECTION 5: SERVICE PROVIDER LICENSING PROCESS 17
5.1 Conditions Prior to Licensing 17
Construction Permit 17
Construction Period 17
5.2 Requirement for a License or Permit for operations 17
Authorization to Commence Operations 18
SECTION 6: TRANSPARENCY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS 19
6.1 Publication of Procedures 19
6.2 Equal Application of the Mini Grid Code 19
6.3 Exercise of Discretion by the Service Provider and other Officials 19
6.4 Tariffs and Charges for Mini Grid Services 19
6.5 Compliance with Laws and Industry Standards 20

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 SECTION 7: PLANNING AND DESIGN 21
7.1 National Planning 21
Mapping and demographic analysis 21
7.2 System Development Planning and Design 21
Coordinating Roles 21
Energy Consumption Projection Parameters and categories 21
System Sizing Criteria 22
Engineering analysis and system investment plan 22
7.3 Financial Forecast Assessment 23
SECTION 8: CONNECTIONS 24
8.1 Purpose 24
8.2 Customer Service Agreement (CSA) 24

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8.3 Customer Charter 24
8.4 Connections and Connection point 24
8.5 Facilities ownership 25
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8.7
8.8
8.9
Metering of Services
Number of services
Single-phase or Three-phase supply service
Service Drop Conductors
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8.10 Customer’s Internal Wiring 26
8.11 System of Earthing 26
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AC conductor earthing 27
DC conductor earthing 27
8.12 Lightning Protection 27
8.13 Fault Current 27
8.14 Alternative Power Supply Installed by Customer 27
PART C: RULES OF PRACTICE 28
SECTION 9: GENERAL PROVISIONS 29
9.1 Liability 29
9.2 Force Majeure 29
SECTION 10: CONDITIONS OF SERVICE & ASSET MANAGEMENT 31
10.1 Establishment 31
10.2 Good Asset Management 32

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 10.3 Customer’s Electrical Installation and Equipment 32
10.4 Service Provider’s Equipment on Customer Premises 33
OPERATIONS SUB-CODE 34
SECTION 11: MINI GRID SYSTEM TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS (or FRAMEWORK) 34
11.1 Purpose 34
11.2 Mini Grid Distribution Network Requirements 34
General 34
Medium voltage (MV) distribution standard 34
Low voltage (LV) distribution standard 35
House wiring 36
11.3 Solar PV Generation Design Parameters 36
General 36

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Solar PV array rack (mounting structure) 36
Photovoltaic (PV) modules 37
Solar photovoltaic array Dimensioning 37
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Solar PV Batteries
Inverters
PV charge controllers
Battery storage and inverters - design & Dimensioning
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11.4 Hydropower Generation Design Parameters 40
General 40
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Powerhouse 40
Civil works – concrete and steel 41
Weir & intake 41
Channel 42
Forebay 42
Penstock and Supports 43
Micro-hydropower generator and controls 43
11.5 Electricity Supply Stations 44
Safety and Protective arrangements 44
Battery installations (where applicable) 45
On-site fuel storage 45
11.6 Classification of Levels of Service 46

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 11.7 Quality of Supply 46
Nominal Voltage 46
Transient voltage variations 46
Voltage imbalance 47
Frequency 47
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 47
11.8 Availability of Supply 47
11.9 Supply Reliability 48
SECTION 12: MINI GRID INTERCONNECTION REQUIREMENTS 49
12.1 Purpose 49
12.2 Liberia Power System characteristics 49
12.3 Interconnection Requirements 49

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Generation 49
Synchronization 49
Voltage 50
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Active and reactive power
Isolation
Quality
SECTION 13: MINI GRID OPERATIONS
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13.1 Purpose 52
13.2 General Responsibilities of a Mini Grid Service Provider 52
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13.3 Mini Grid Operating States 53
13.4 Mini Grid System Monitoring and Control 54
13.5 Operations Plan, Procedures and Manuals 54
13.6 Service Provider’s Right to Interrupt Supply 54
13.7 Planned Interruptions 55
13.8 Unplanned Interruptions and outages 55
13.9 Disconnection and Reconnection 56
13.10 Unauthorized Energy Use 56
13.11 Illegal Supply and/or Power Theft 56
SECTION 14: Safety, Health & Environment 57
14.1 Purpose 57
14.2 Safety Coordination 57

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 14.3 Safety Code 57
Minimum Working Clearances from Energized Overhead Electric Utility Lines 57
Construction site signaling 58
14.4 Health Safety and Environment 58
PART D: STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE 59
SECTION 15: BENCHMARKS AND INDICES FOR STANDARDS OF SUPPLY: QUALITY AND RELIABILITY 60
15.1 Purpose 60
15.2 Standards for Power Quality and Reliability 60
15.3 Reliability of Supply Targets 60
SECTION 16: METERING 61
16.1 Purpose 61
16.2 Ownership 61

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16.3 Customer responsibility 61
16.4 Technical Characteristics 61
Meter Type/Accuracy 61
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Customer Access & Installation
Meter Sealing
Meter Testing
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16.6 Metering Data 63
SECTION 17: INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND REPORTING 64
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17.1 Purpose and Scope 64
17.2 General Principles for Implementation of Information and Data Exchange 64
17.3 Planning Information 64
17.4 Network/System Information Exchange 65
17.5 Time Standard 65
17.6 Data Retention and Archiving 65
17.7 Mini Grid Performance Data Reporting 66
17.8 Events Reporting 66
17.9 Significant Incident 67
SECTION 18: COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION 68
18.1 Complaints Handling Process 68
SECTION 19: BREACH OF THE MINI GRID CODE 69

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 19.1 Service Provider’s Obligation to Remedy 69
19.2 Notification of Non-compliance 69
19.3 Customer’s Obligation to Remedy 69
PART E: DEFINITIONS 70
TECHNICAL SCHEDULES 73
TECHNICAL SCHEDULE TS-A: QUALITY OF SUPPLY STANDARDS/BENCHMARKS 74
TECHNICAL SCHEDULE TS-B: RELIABILITY OF SUPPLY STANDARDS/BENCHMARKS 75
APPENDIX A: PERFORMANCE REPORTING INDICATORS TEMPLATE 76
Appendix B :Customer Service Agreement Template (General) 79

Tables
Table 1:Average energy consumption by customer category 19
Table 2: Maximum channel velocity for different types of hydro channels 38

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Table 3: SE4All Levels of Service classification 42
Table 4: Characteristics of the Liberia power supply system
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 Foreword
The Mini Grid Code provides the legal, technical, and safety guidance for the development and operation
of mini grids in the Republic of Liberia. The Code covers mini grids that are designed to operate either in
isolation from the national grid or interconnected to the national grid.

The Code takes cognizance of the present situation in Liberia, where only a small percentage of the
population has access to electricity and LEC only supplies the Monrovia area from the national grid and a
few other select areas receiving electricity from “mini grids” that are connected to cross-border supplies
from neighboring Cote d’Ivoire which are operated on behalf of LEC by private operators. The Code also
takes note of the policy of government to achieve electricity for all through development and operation
of isolated mini grids whilst embarking on pragmatic and consistent expansion and extension of the
national grid to interconnect the mini grids in the future. A few parts of the country are currently being
supplied from mini grids majority of which are operating in isolation of the national grid and a lot more
of such developments are expected under the sponsorship and promotional oversight of RREA, an
institution that was established by law under the auspices of the MLME for the purpose.

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The LERC in support of government policy has the mandate to develop codes and standards to guide the
development and safe operation of mini grids to provide access to reliable electricity supplies using
modern renewable energy sources that abound in the country. In line with regulation 40 of the MULR
issued by the LERC, isolated mini grid Service Providers are encouraged to source and maintain at least
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fifty percent (50%) of their annual electricity supplies from renewable energy sources.

The Code provides guidelines for prudent design, construction and operation of mini grid power systems
including provisions to ensure that a Mini Grid can be operated in a manner that does not put at risk the
target population receiving the supply. The Code shall be used by RREA and LERC to oversee operations
of service providers that are granted mini grid operating licenses or permits in Liberia.

Service Providers under this Code are also informed about the existence and contents of the Distribution
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Code which may provide further guidance to Service Providers in the development and planning of their
mini grid networks and systems, especially if the mini grid is to be interconnected to the national grid in
the future.

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 PART A: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Introduction

The General Provisions contains the purpose and scope of the Mini Grid Code, a definition of roles,
responsibilities, terminology, and arrangements for the management and governance of the Mini Grid
Code.

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SECTION 1: PREAMBLE
1.1 Purpose and Scope of Mini Grid Code
1.1.1 The Electricity Law of Liberia, 2015 (ELL), hereinafter referred to as the Law, establishes the legal
basis for public and private electricity service providers to offer commercial electricity supply
services in Liberia, using grid expansion and off-grid supply services to rural and remote
communities. This Law enables legal incorporation of entities which, under a license or permit
issued by the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), is authorized to generate and
distribute electricity within a prescribed service area.
1.1.2 The Mini Grid Code establishes technical and safety requirements that applicants for electricity
supply licenses or permits will be required to meet.
1.1.3 The Code sets out the legal and technical requirements for provision of commercial mini grid
electricity supply services and establishes procedures, practices, quality and reliability of service,
safety standards and other conditions that govern the development, operation, maintenance
and use of a mini grid electricity supply service in Liberia.
1.1.4 The purpose of the Mini Grid Code is to ensure that the Service Provider provides fair, transparent,

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adequate, safe, reliable, secure and cost-efficient delivery of modern electrical energy supply to
consumers.

1.1.5 The Mini Grid Code is issued by LERC and is based on the provisions of sections 3.3: A. 5, 6, 8, 9, B.4 and
3.4 of the Law.
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1.2.1
1.2 Scope of Mini Grid Supply System
In accordance with the Law, LERC has determined that a Mini Grid system shall comprise a small
electricity supply system with its own power generation capacity or source of supply with
installed capacity not exceeding 10MW and supplying electricity to a number of customers not
exceeding 20,000 customers.

1.2.2 A Mini Grid shall have a generation facility in its network which may be operated by the Mini
Grid Licensee/Permit Holder or a third party.
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1.2.3 A Mini Grid may be classified as:
(a) Isolated Mini Grid – in which case the system operates as an off-grid network or
(b) Interconnected Mini Grid – in which case the system operates as a small network
connected to a distribution or transmission network.
1.2.4 The scope of a Mini Grid system as provided in this Code includes both the Isolated Mini Grid
and Interconnected Mini Grid. Despite the separation, the different Parts of the Mini Grid Code
are intended to be consistent and complementary for the satisfactory delivery of Mini Grid
electricity supply services. Nothing in this Mini Grid Code precludes the application of evolving
technologies and processes as they become available.

1.3 Structure of the Mini Grid Code

1.3.1 The Parts of the Mini Grid Code are generally organized according to the legal instruments by
which they are to be implemented.

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1.3.2 Part A, the General Provisions, contains the purpose and scope of the Mini Grid Code, a
definition of roles, responsibilities, terminology, and arrangements for the management and
governance of the Mini Grid Code.

1.3.3 Part B of the Mini Grid Code defines the requirements and procedure for obtaining a License or
Permit to construct and operate a Mini Grid infrastructure to provide commercial electric power
services in Liberia. This Part contains sub-codes that deal with aspects of the Conditions of a
License or Permit such as planning, connection arrangements, rights and the requirements for
transparency and nondiscrimination.

1.3.4 Part C, the Rules of Practice, details the technical requirements and interconnection
requirements for a Mini Grid system, arrangements for operations and safety considerations.

1.3.5 Part D, the Standards of Performance, states the indicators and benchmarks for quality and
reliability of supply for each level of service provided. The Part also contains the sub-code for
metering which describes the applicable standards and installation arrangements for metering.

1.3.6 Part E, the Definitions, provides meanings and definitions for special words and technical terms

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used in the text to bring out the meanings in the context that they have been used in the Mini
Grid Code.
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SECTION 2: ACCRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ABC Aerial Bundled Cable
AC Alternating Current
ANSI American National Standards Institute
DC Direct Current
CSA Customer Service Agreement
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
GPS Global Positioning System
GoL Government of Liberia
IEC International Electro-technical Committee
KPI Key Performance Indicator
IRR Internal Rate of Return
kVA kilovolt-ampere, or one thousand volt-amperes
kVar Kilovar, or one thousand volt-amperes of reactive power
kW Kilowatt or one thousand watts of active electric power
kWh Kilowatt-hour or one thousand watt-hours of electrical energy

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LEC Liberia Electricity Corporation
LERC Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission
LV Low Voltage
MME Ministry of Mines and Energy

MV
MW
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MULR

NEC
NPV
Micro Utility Licensing Regulations
Medium Voltage
Megawatt, one million watts of active electric power
National Electrical Code (USA)
Net Present Value
ROE Return on Equity
RREA Rural and Renewable Energy Agency
STC Standard Test Conditions
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UL Underwriters Laboratories

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SECTION 3: APPLICATION OF THE CODE
3.1 Main Actors, Processes and Installations
3.1.1 Unless otherwise stated in a License, Permit or Code issued under the Law, the sections of this
Code shall apply to the design, development, construction and operations of a Mini Grid with
generation Capacity of up to 10 MW and/or supplying electricity service to number of customers
not exceeding 20,000.
3.1.2 The main actors earmarked under this Code include:
(a) the owner and/or developer of a Mini Grid;
(b) the operator of a Mini Grid;
(c) the generation provider where the supply to a Mini Grid is provided by another party;
(d) the target customers of the Mini Grid supply service; and
(e) any national institution or agency that interacts with Mini Grid owners, developers,
operators, and customers in Liberia.
3.1.3 A Service Provider under this Code refers to the Operator of the Mini Grid system and includes
the supply source provider where the generation is provided by another party.

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3.1.4 The Code is applicable to:
(a) the design and construction of the Mini Grid infrastructure;
(b) the process of applying for a License or a Permit to operate;
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3.1.5
(c) the safe and reliable operation of the facilities;
(d) Customer rights and obligations to receive supply from a Service Provider; and
(e) the preparation and submission of performance reports to RREA and LERC.
The Code shall be administered by RREA under the oversight of the LERC.
3.2 General Requirements
3.2.1 The Code is based on technical standards commonly used in the electricity supply industry to
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guarantee safe and reliable operation of electricity generation and distribution facilities
throughout the operating life of the facilities. The Code provides guidelines for prudent design,
construction and operation of mini grid power systems including provisions to ensure that a Mini
Grid can be operated in a manner that does not put at risk the target population receiving the
supply and the general public.

3.2.2 The Code does not foresee all operational conditions that may arise in the provision of electricity
supply services to rural communities. The Code provides and presents design and operating
guidelines and principles, standards of safety, standards of service and specifies reporting
requirements for a Service Provider.

3.2.3 In this context, a Service Provider shall act, during the reasonable and prudent discharge of the
responsibilities, to meet the following requirements:

(a) Avoidance of unscheduled outages for Mini Grid electricity supply service;
(b) Rapid restoration of service and minimization of the number of consumers affected
when faults occur;

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 (c) Strict adherence to all standards of safe design, safe construction, and safe operation of
all mechanical and electrical works in the generation and distribution segments of a Mini
Grid; and
(d) Adherence to providing fair business practices with regards to metering, billing, and
collection of revenues from mini grid electricity supply customers.
3.3 Service Provider Responsibilities
3.3.1 A Service Provider shall operate the Mini Grid to provide services in accordance with the
Performance and Reliability Standards of this Code.
3.3.2 The Service Provider’s responsibilities in this regard shall include the following:
(a) Apply for a License (or a Permit), with the assistance of RREA, to build facilities and to
offer commercial electricity supply services to households, businesses and other
community consumers following the process established under the MULR issued by
LERC;
(b) Prepare and submit a complete set of design drawings and specifications of power
generation and distribution facilities in applying for a License or Permit to commercialize

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electric power. The design drawings must be accompanied by:
(i) a geographic map of the proposed service area,
(ii) the number of potential consumers per category, and
(iii) an indication of the proposed levels of service to be provided.
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voltage limits, frequency limits, and maximum number and duration of service outages
as required under its License or Permit.
(d) Connect customers that place an application unless their location does not guarantee a
safe supply (voltage drop for example)
(e) Establish the means and conditions to receive and register customer complaints
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relevant to the services provided through a customer service and call center.
(f) Monitor and record generation-distribution system performance and submit monthly
performance reports to RREA in the specified reporting format.
(g) Present and collect bills for services or provide the means for consumers to prepay for
electricity supply service.
(h) Follow agreed procedures established in this Code and the Customer Service and Quality
of Supply Regulations for disconnection of defaulting consumers that fail to pay for the
service within the authorized payment period for post-paid consumers.
(i) Establish an open and transparent dispute resolution process for disagreements that
may arise with consumers in accordance with the guidelines provided in this Code.
(j) Prepare and present investment plans to RREA and LERC including plans for expansion
and extension of the services to other areas under the License or Permit on an annual
basis.

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SECTION 4: MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE OF THE MINI GRID CODE
4.1 Purpose and Scope
This section defines the arrangements for the management and governance of the provision of mini grid
network services and for the implementation of the Mini Grid Code.

4.2 Conduct of Service Provider

4.2.1 A Service Provider which has been given the exclusive mandate to operate a mini grid facility
and provide electricity supply services in a designated area shall be responsible for the good
governance and management of its mini grid system in accordance with the Mini Grid Code
and guided at all times by generally accepted best practices.

4.2.2 The Service Provider shall be guided by the fundamental principles of fairness, transparency
and non-discrimination in the governance and management of its mini grid system.

4.2.3 A report of the activities of the Service Provider shall be made available for review by an
interested customer or community consumer representative(s).

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4.2.4 The Service Provider shall be accountable to LERC through RREA, or otherwise directly to
LERC as specified in the License or Permit, for the performance of the mini grid facility and
compliance with the intent of the Mini Grid Code.
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4.3.1

4.3.2
4.3 Role of LERC
The primary purpose of LERC with regard to the operation of the Mini Grid system shall be to
ensure compliance with the Mini Grid Code.

LERC shall oversee all technical operations, activities and transactions on the Mini Grid system
and also supervise and monitor the performance of all the functions of the Service Provider
towards ensuring the fulfilment of Service Provider’s role as required under the Mini Grid Code.
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4.3.3 LERC shall have the mandate to:
(a) review and assess on a regular basis the following:
(i) performance of a Service Provider and its mini grid system;
(ii) compliance with rules and regulations by Service Provider and Customers;
(iii) fairness and non-discrimination in all operational activities;

(b) consider, investigate, assess, and advise on the following issues as may be found
appropriate:

(i) possible unacceptable behavior of a customer or service provider,

(ii) proposals for the revision of the Mini Grid Code, procedures, practices, rules or
regulations covering the Mini Grid system,

(iii),

(iv) mini grid Standards of Performance and penalties, and

(v) any mini grid system related complaints;

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 (c) audit, approve or affirm as relevant the following:

(i) Compliance Plans and remedial programs, and

(ii) data archiving systems; and

(d) establish guidelines on procedures for resolution of disputes.

4.4 Role of RREA

4.4.1 Despite the provisions in section 4.3 of this Code and in accordance with Section 2.1(c)(xiv) of
the RREA Act, RREA shall be responsible for the regulatory monitoring of all rural, isolated Mini
Grids operating as off-grid energy supply systems and electrification projects on behalf of LERC.

4.4.2 Subject to section 4.4.1, RREA shall play the oversight roles listed under section 4.3 in relation to
Isolated Mini Grids and report periodically to LERC as stated in section 4.5.

4.5 RREA to Report on Service Provider’s Performance to LERC

Subject to RREA’s oversight responsibility under section 4.4, RREA shall collate and analyze the

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performance records of a Service Provider and submit to LERC a Regulatory Performance Report on each
Service Provider twice a year (bi-annually) with appropriate recommendations.

4.6 Revision of the Mini Grid Code

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4.6.1

4.6.2
Proposals for the revision of any provision of the Mini Grid Code may be made by a Service
Provider, Customer, RREA or LERC, the “Proposer”.

All proposals for Mini Grid Code revisions shall be in writing and shall be sent to LERC with a
copy to RREA.

4.6.3 The LERC shall receive, register, and acknowledge all submissions within 5 days upon receipt.

4.6.4 The LERC shall notify all Service providers and Main Actors of such proposals and make copies
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accessible to them either over the internet or through other appropriate means to provide their
views to the LERC within three months of receipt.

4.6.5 The LERC shall in consultation with RREA consider the submissions of the “Proposer”, views from
Service Providers and Main Actors and advise all the parties of its decision with full and written
justifications.

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 PART B: LICENSING/ PERMITING PROVISIONS AND
CONDITIONS
Introduction
This section of the Mini Grid Code defines the requirements and procedure for obtaining a License or
Permit to construct and operate a Mini Grid infrastructure to provide commercial electric power services
in Liberia. This Part contains sub-codes that deal with aspects of the Conditions of a License or Permit
such as planning, connection arrangements, rights and the requirements for transparency and
nondiscrimination.

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SECTION 5: SERVICE PROVIDER LICENSING PROCESS

5.1 Conditions Prior to Licensing

Construction Permit
5.1.1 The Service Provider must submit to RREA engineering design drawings and construction plan
together with an application for a Construction Permit. A Construction Permit shall be issued by
RREA authorizing the Service Provider to proceed with investment and construction of the Mini
Grid supply infrastructure.

Construction Period
5.1.2 The construction period for a Mini Grid supply infrastructure shall not exceed two (2) years. All
supply infrastructure including services to premises of registered customers must be completed
within a period of two years.

5.1.3 Upon completion of construction of the Mini Grid supply system, the developer shall notify RREA
of such completion and RREA shall issue the Developer with a Project Completion Certificate

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after satisfactory inspection and commissioning test of the facility by competent technical teams
of both the RREA and the developer with the LERC in attendance upon invitation by RREA.

5.1.4 Subject to section 5.1.3, RREA may decide to engage the services of an independent competent
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5.1.5

5.1.6
engineer or firm to assist with the technical assessment, inspection and commissioning of the
facility.

Failure by a Service Provider to comply with section 5.1.3 will result in an incomplete submission
during the Application process of the License or Permit.

The Service Provider shall submit copies of the detailed commissioning test results of the facility
and the Project Completion Certificate issued by RREA, to LERC as part of its documentations
required during the License or Permit Application Process described in section 5.2.
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5.2 Requirement for a License or Permit for operations
5.2.1 A Service Provider must apply for a License or Permit, through RREA, to LERC prior to operations
of a facility it has developed for the provision of electricity supply services in a designated area
subject to meeting requirements under section 5.1. The application process shall be in
accordance with provisions specified in regulation 5 of the MULR issued by the LERC.

5.2.2 Despite section 5.2.1, the requirements for a License or Permit application shall include
submission of information to varying levels of detail, depending on the type and category of
authorization required as described in regulations 6 and 7 of the MULR, including the following:
(a) Presentation of a clear definition of the geographic scope of the Mini Grid service
area
including:
(i) a description of the location;
(ii) the scope of the service area;

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 (iii)a map of the entire service area using GPS locational technology (showing house
and other building locations);
(iv)an indication of the number of houses and businesses that will be served;
(v) the proposed supply technology(ies) for the mini grid service; and
(vi) single line diagrams of the entire proposed electric generation/distribution
system.
(b) A description and indication of:
(i) the proposed level of service in watts or kilowatts to be provided;
(ii) the expected energy consumption level that will be satisfied by the generation
system;
(iii)the hours of service to be provided per day;
(iv)the expected average weekly or monthly rate of consumption (in kWh);
(v) the expected peak load (in kW) in year 1, year 5 and year 10, where applicable;
and
(vi) the number of streetlights that will be installed as part of the Mini Grid

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system.
(c) Provision of an analysis of the cost of service for each consumer category.
(d) A brief business plan is required stating the following :
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(ii) a financial analysis of the project;
(iii) sources and uses of funds to finance the project;
(iv) provision of information on the principal investment partners in the project; and
(v) a demonstration that the investment partnership has the capability to raise the
capital required to finance the project.
(e) Environmental impact assessment report and Permit indicating EPA approval for the
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project.
5.2.3 The LERC shall, following a successful assessment of the application, issue the applicant with the
appropriate License or Permit for provision of the services requested subject to terms and
conditions determined by the LERC in accordance with the MULR.

Authorization to Commence Operations

5.2.4 The Service Provider shall, upon the issuance of a License or Permit by the LERC, commence
commercial operations after receipt of authorization from RREA to commence with commercial
operations.

5.2.5 RREA shall notify LERC prior to issue of the Authorization to Operate to the Service Provider.

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SECTION 6: TRANSPARENCY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS
6.1 Publication of Procedures
6.1.1 A Service Provider shall develop and publish in detail all the requirements, qualifications, and
administrative procedures to be fulfilled or followed by those seeking to be provided services by
the Service Provider.

6.1.2 The requirements to be published shall include the modes of communication with the Service
Provider, technical requirements for connection to the Mini Grid, technical operating
parameters, operating period and performance benchmarks for service provision.

6.1.3 The qualifications shall include all legal, financial, and technical qualifications to be fulfilled by
the prospective customer seeking to be connected to the Mini Grid system.

6.1.4 The administrative procedures shall include all administrative, financial, technical and any other
procedures to be followed prior to commissioning of a service connection as well as the
obligations of the customer for continued provision of the service.

6.1.5 The LERC and RREA shall publish the Mini Grid Code on their respective websites and make

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copies readily available to the public as well as all other related publications upon the payment
of a published fee by the person that made the request.

6.2 Equal Application of the Mini Grid Code

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The Mini Grid Code shall be fairly and uniformly applied to all classes within a category of Customers.
Conditions and situations that are similar shall all receive consistent and equitable treatment.

6.3.1
6.3 Exercise of Discretion by the Service Provider and other Officials
The Service Provider or any other person shall not make a decision that is inconsistent with the
Mini Grid Code in respect of usage or provision of services from the Mini Grid system.

6.3.2 A Service Provider may use its discretion and good judgment in making decisions on any matter
on which the Mini Grid Code does not contain complete or adequate stipulations.
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6.3.3 The exercise of a discretionary power shall however accord with good sustainable energy supply
services practices and shall be justified in writing to RREA and the affected party while such
decision is taken and the LERC informed by RREA as may be deemed necessary.

6.3.4 The principles and rationale for any discretion exercised or decision taken by a Service Provider
shall be published and made available to RREA, and to any person upon request.

6.3.5 A person aggrieved by a discretionary decision taken by a Service Provider may request for a
review by the LERC in consultation with RREA as may be necessary.

6.3.6 The LERC and RREA shall consider the complaint and uphold or recommend a reconsideration of
the decision.

6.4 Tariffs and Charges for Mini Grid Services

Tariffs and charges for use of the mini grid services provided by a Service Provider shall be in accordance
with the guidelines prescribed in the MULR and modalities specified in the Tariff Regulations and
Methodology published in the Gazette by the LERC.

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 6.5 Compliance with Laws and Industry Standards
6.5.1 Service providers and their customers shall comply with all relevant laws, the Regulations, the
requirements of the Mini Grid Code, License or Permit conditions and in accordance with
Prudent Utility Practice.
6.5.2 A Service Provider shall comply with the terms of agreement with the community, the customer
contract as well as the decisions, orders, and directions of RREA and LERC as may be applicable.
6.5.3 Failure by a Service Provider to comply with any of the conditions specified in sections 6.5.1 and
6.5.2 may result in the revocation of the License or Permit, and relevant approvals granted by
RREA for provision of the service.

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SECTION 7: PLANNING AND DESIGN
7.1 National Planning
7.1.1 In accordance with the National Energy Policy, the MME shall prepare and issue an indicative
national electrification plan as well as the Renewable Energy Strategy and Master Plan that will
illustrate population centers and rural areas where grid service is most likely to expand in
five-year increments, and also map out those areas that will be served by off-grid service
providers in the interim period.

7.1.2 The indicative national electrification plan must be prepared on a geospatial platform and the
results which shall be published on the websites of the MME, RREA and LERC will be shared with
investors and prospective Service Providers.

7.1.3 Candidate service area where electrification projects will be developed must be identified in the
geospatial framework using population data, economic activity data, location of public service
facilities such as hospitals, schools, worship centers or houses and government administrative
facilities, and other factors that may contribute to load growth.

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7.1.4 Investors or communities that choose to develop mini grid projects in Liberia shall collaborate
with RREA for design and project development assistance in accordance with its mandates.

Mapping and demographic analysis

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7.1.5 All Service Providers shall prepare a map of the proposed service area and that will include:

(a) the administrative boundaries;

(b) the terrain features of the service area including roads, permanent buildings,
rivers, lakes, protected areas, etc.;
(c) any existing or planned electric generation and distribution system structures and
information; and
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(d) all proposed expansion of existing power system infrastructure including new
generation plant, distribution infrastructure and other facilities necessary.
7.1.6 Projects that result in development of Isolated Mini Grid will serve remote communities that are
distant from formal population centers and grid electric service.

7.2 System Development Planning and Design

Coordinating Roles
7.2.1 In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 11 of the Law, RREA shall liaise and coordinate
individual Mini Grid system development plans of Service Providers and provide LERC with a
consolidated rural electrification System Expansion Development Plan which shall provide input
for the development or periodic updates of the National Electricity System Development Plan.

Energy Consumption Projection Parameters and categories

7.2.2 The anticipated energy supply systems will serve consumers that use high-efficiency end-use
lighting devices with a relatively lower average level of energy consumption compared with
consumers connected to the main grid.

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7.2.3 A Mini Grid system must be designed to serve all consumers that are within the service area
covered by the mini grid distribution network as defined in the proposed system design.
Consumer categories shall be classified as the following:

(a) Residential
(b) Commercial
(c) Street lighting
(d) Health facility
(e) School
(f) Water supply

System Sizing Criteria

7.2.4 The power system shall be sized using minimum levels of assumed consumption as provided in
Table 1. The prospective Service Provider applicant may use higher assumed levels of
consumption but will need to provide justification based upon actual surveys pointing to use of
the higher values.

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Table 1:Average energy consumption by customer category
Consumer Monthly Average Consumption Consumer
category Consumption Year 1, kWh Growth (%) growth (%)
AF Residential
Commercial
Streetlights
Health facility
School
Water supply
12
35
12
100
85
90
1

3
1.5
3.0
n/a
n/a
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
As needed
n/a
n/a

PUE spot load Assessment studies required

Notes:
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1. One streetlight shall be installed for every 25 residential consumers. Streetlighting consumption is
dimensioned to provide lighting service from dusk to midnight.
2. 250 children per school, 4.4 persons per household, 40% households with school age children.
3. Pump with 0.5 hp motor operating 6 hours per day in a 25m well. Provides 100ltr/day each to 150
households

7.2.5 A consumption or load projection shall be developed using the consumption and growth
parameters provided in Table 1 and a 100% penetration of the prospective consumers. A
ten-year horizon shall be used for the load projection and the results of the consumption
projection shall be used to dimension the generation station capacity.

Engineering analysis and system investment plan

7.2.6 The distribution network must be planned using household locations and available roads. The
design criteria shall be as follows:

(a) Systems with a demand of up to 100kW must use LV distribution systems only;

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 (b) The use of MV distribution system is recommended for systems with demands greater
than 100kW or with extremely low density service area such that the distances from
the source to the final consumers exceeds one kilometer (1km);
(c) The use of three phase distribution in rural electrification for economic reasons must be
minimized and/or appropriately justified;
(d) Conductor size selection shall be in accordance with the standard to maintain voltage
levels and loss level targets over the intended project horizon;
(e) Investment costs and technical losses will be considered in the calculations resulting in
the selection of conductor sizes;
(f) The limits for voltage variations from the nominal voltage must be maintained within
the standard ranges as provided in Technical Schedule TS-A;and
(g) Safety standards (i.e., clearances, insulation levels, etc.) must be established,
maintained and guaranteed.
7.2.7 A load flow program must be used to calculate power flow in the network and based on the

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results, the final network design will be determined together with the associated construction
cost.
7.3 Financial Forecast Assessment
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7.3.1

7.3.2
Financial forecast is the process of evaluating the costs and revenues over the life of the rural
electrification project. Costs include capitalized installation costs and yearly operation costs.
Revenues are derived from tariff collection from customers for supplied energy.

Revenues shall be estimated based on tariff assessments that shall be guided by provisions
specified in Part IV and Part V of the Tariff Regulations (issued by LERC) for Service Providers
operating with a micro utility License or Permit, respectively.

7.3.3 Section 12 of the Tariff Methodology guided by Section 6 of the Regulatory Accounting System
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guidelines for a chart of accounts further provides a standard tariff methodology in the
determination of the revenue requirements for micro utility licensees.

7.3.4 The Tariff Regulations, Tariff Methodology and the Tariff Model altogether provide guidelines on
ROE, IRR, NPV and project times and cost recovery mechanism over the lifespan of the project.

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SECTION 8: CONNECTIONS
8.1 Purpose
This section provides the general characteristics, conditions and the basic requirements that shall apply
to all the types of consumer service connections to the Mini Grid network of a Service Provider.

8.2 Customer Service Agreement (CSA)

8.2.1 A prospective customer of a Service Provider shall be presented with a standardized Customer
Service Agreement (CSA) by the Service Provider and shall be required to complete and execute
the CSA prior to connection of the customer's premises to the Service Provider’s system for
power supply.
8.2.2 The CSA presented to the customer by the Service Provider shall be in the form of the template
attached as Appendix H to the MULR (reproduced and attached as Appendix B to this Code) and
must indicate the following:
(a) the type of service;

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(b) number of phases;
(c) the expected connected load; and
(d) the deposit to be paid by the customer.

8.2.3 The characteristics of electric service (voltage, number of phases, capacity, etc.) shall be
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8.2.4
determined in accordance with availability of the service level required at the customer premises
unless otherwise negotiated between the customer and the Service Provider.

The CSA of a customer shall be scanned and submitted to RREA, with copies retained as part of
the permanent operating records of the Service Provider.

8.3 Customer Charter

A customer shall be provided with a copy of a Customer Charter established in line with provisions under
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section 10 that summarizes the rights and obligations of the customer and that of the Service Provider
which shall form the basis for the CSA provided in section 8.2.

8.4 Connections and Connection point

8.4.1 Upon receipt of the executed CSA and payment of the required charges for connection of the
service, the Service Provider must comply with all other requirements relevant to the connection
process specified in this Code.

8.4.2 Prior to connecting the service, a Service Provider must evaluate the new customer premises to
assess the technical conditions allowing for connection of the new service. The Service Provider
may refuse connection of the premises if technical conditions are not met.

8.4.3 The connection point is the point at which customer’s wiring and the Service Provider’s network
are connected. The demarcation of a connection point could be any of the following installations
depending on whether a metering device is used or not:

(a) meter socket,

(b) service distribution enclosure,

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 (c) pull-box, or
(d) disconnector switch.
8.4.4 The connection to the Service Provider’s network must be conducted with the proper conductor
size according to the customer’s connected load.

8.5 Facilities ownership

8.5.1 Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, the Service Provider shall own all electric facilities in the
public right-of-way.

8.5.2 Subject to section 16.2.1, the Service Provider and the Customer shall own all electric facilities
on their respective sides of the service connection point and shall generally assume all
maintenance and operation responsibilities of the facilities on their respective sides of the
service point.

8.6 Metering of Services

8.6.1 Where possible, individual meters shall be installed and used as the basis for energy sales from
the Service Provider to the customer. Meters may include prepaid or postpaid meters.

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8.6.2 In the event that postpaid meters are used, the Service Provider shall carry out at least one
meter reading per month within a time frame of 28 to 32 days.

8.6.3 The customer is entitled to request for a meter test once per year at no charge to the customer.
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8.7.1
The cost of additional request for meter testing will be charged to the customer.

8.7 Number of services

A Service provider may

(a) require more than one service connection to large premises.

(b) agree to provide an additional service on customer’s request and at customer’s
expense.
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8.7.2 The CSA shall specify if the additional service is required to provide electricity to a separate and
clearly defined portion of the premise or to the whole of the electrical installation as a source of
reliability.

8.8 Single-phase or Three-phase supply service

8.8.1 Single-phase supply service at 230V shall be the basic standard electricity supply service
provided throughout the Service Provider’s service area.

8.8.2 Three-phase supply service at 230/400V shall be furnished only where the customer's load and
equipment warrant a three-phase supply service and where the Service Provider has the
necessary facilities installed and to make the service available.

8.9 Service Drop Conductors

8.9.1 Service entrance conductors are required to connect the Service Provider supply lines with the
customer’s internal wiring of the premises. The service connection shall be installed using a
twisted pair insulated Aluminum service entrance conductor with a minimum size of 10mm2.

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8.9.2 The connection to the premises shall be done using a support bracket attached to the external
wall of the premises.

8.9.3 If meter installation is not required, the service entrance cable may lead directly indoors to the
customer’s distribution board, double throw switch or junction box main breaker.

8.10 Customer’s Internal Wiring

8.10.1 A customer shall be responsible for the wiring inside the customer’s premises. The Service
Provider must inspect the quality of the internal wiring and may refuse providing the service
under unsafe conditions. The Service Provider shall inform the customer about the unsafe
conditions detected and advise on the necessary actions to be taken in order to proceed with
the connection.

8.10.2 The wiring of a customer’s premises shall emanate from a service entrance box with a single
main breaker protecting all the consumer premises wiring. The main breaker shall have a current
rating no greater than that of the meter or the service entrance conductor.

8.10.3 Depending on the complexity of the installation, there may be additional branch breakers

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connecting from the main breaker to protect individual circuits, but the input of the single main
breaker shall be the point of interconnection for the meter.

8.10.4 Despite section 8.10.1 and to accelerate the pace of initial household connections, a Service
AF Provider may arrange with the customer and carry out internal wiring of the customer’s
premises with an agreement for reimbursement by the customer, or otherwise, over a
reasonable period during operations.

8.11 System of Earthing

8.11.1 Electric services, including, but not limited to, service equipment, raceways, service distribution
enclosures, junction boxes, enclosures, and any service conductor to be grounded/bonded shall
be grounded/bonded in accordance with the NEC (National Electrical Code of USA) 2020 and
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with earthing conductors having ampacities adequate for the available fault current over the
operating time of the fault-protective device.

8.11.2 If the circuit has no overcurrent or fault protection, the earthing conductor ampacity shall be
determined by the design and operating conditions of the circuit. If the conductor enclosures
and attachments to equipment enclosures are continuous and adequate, the circuit path formed
by these metallic surfaces may constitute the equipment earthing conductor.

8.11.3 Earthing conductor wires shall be connected via a suitable lug, terminal, or device that is not
disturbed during normal operation, inspection, or maintenance.

8.11.4 A Customer’s electrical installation must comply with the multiple earth neutral system of
earthing. Each service connection shall be earthed by connecting the neutral at the consumer’s
service entrance box to an earth electrode consisting of a driven rod 12mm in diameter and
1.5m long driven fully into the earth. The electrode shall be connected to the neutral via a bare
grounding/bonding conductor.

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8.11.5 The grounding/bonding conductors for all service connections shall be soft annealed copper clad
steel or galvanized steel only, with a minimum size of 6mm diameter.

AC conductor earthing
8.11.6 System electrical earthing shall only occur on the AC side of a system, where the AC neutral
conductor is connected to the consumer earth conductor, at a single location at the generation
facility site, typically within the system’s main AC distribution panel. The location of the
neutral/earth bonding shall be clearly labelled and indicated on the installations’ single line
diagram.

8.11.7 Alternating current conductors shall be earthed in accordance with standards used by the
national grid.

DC conductor earthing
8.11.8 DC systems, or the DC portion of mini grids with AC may remain unearthed.

8.12 Lightning Protection

Mini grids in lightning-prone areas shall be protected against lightning through the installation of a surge

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protection device that can provide protection for least 100 kA surge current (8/20 µs). If the mini grid has
both an AC and DC sides, each side shall be protected with a separate surge protection device.
AF 8.13 Fault Current
A Customer’s electrical installations must be designed to withstand, without damage and under fault
conditions, a maximum current as defined by the Service Provider.

8.14 Alternative Power Supply Installed by Customer

8.14.1 If a customer installs an alternate supply source for auxiliary or emergency generation, the
connections of such alternate generating plant shall be arranged so that they can never be
connected in parallel with the Service Provider’s network. Service to the load from the alternate
generation source shall be made through an open-before-close multi-pole, double-throw
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transfer switch arrangement to prevent such paralleling.

8.14.2 The Service Provider may define additional requirements to ensure the safe changeover
operation of the alternative source of electricity supply.

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 PART C: RULES OF PRACTICE

Introduction

The Rules of Practice, in this Part C, details the technical requirements and interconnection requirements
for a Mini Grid system, arrangements for operations and safety considerations.

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SECTION 9: GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 Liability
9.1.1 A Service Provider shall only be liable to a customer and a customer shall only be liable to a
Service Provider for any damages which arise directly out of the willful misconduct or negligence
of the:
(a) Service Provider in providing mini grid services to the customer;
(b) customer in being connected to the Service Provider’s network; or
(c) Service Provider or Customer in meeting their respective obligations under this Code,
their licenses or permits and any other applicable law.
9.1.2 The Service Provider shall educate its customers on the use of appropriate equipment to control
loss or damage, which may result from poor quality or reliability of electricity supply within its
Mini Grid system.

9.1.3 A customer shall be liable to the Service Provider for any loss or damage resulting from the use
of electricity in a manner that will make the Service Provider’s Mini Grid system unsafe.

9.2 Force Majeure

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9.2.1 Neither party shall be held to have committed a breach respect of any obligation under this
Code if prevented from performing that obligation, in whole or in part, because of a force
majeure event.
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9.2.2

9.2.3
The Mini Grid Code contains procedures for the management of day-to-day technical situations
on the Mini Grid system, considering a wide range of operational conditions likely to be
encountered under both normal and abnormal conditions.

The Mini Grid Code cannot foresee all the possible operating conditions in the Mini Grid system.
Actors must therefore understand and accept that a Service Provider may be required, in such
unforeseen circumstances, to act decisively to discharge its obligations under the License or
Permit condition(s), within the following general principles and priorities:
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(a) firstly, to preserve or restore the integrity of the Mini Grid system, including the
avoidance of breakdowns or situations leading to partial or total collapse of the system;

(b) compliance by the Service Provider with the Law, and conditions in its License or Permit
or Concession, as may be applicable;

(c) preserving the safety of equipment, to prevent damage to plant or equipment, and
public safety to prevent personal injury; and

(d) the achievement of objectives specifically identified in the Mini Grid Code.

Customers and other service providers shall therefore provide such reasonable cooperation and
assistance as a Service Provider may require in such operational circumstances.

9.2.4 If circumstances not envisaged by the provisions of the Mini Grid Code should arise, the Service
Provider shall, to the extent reasonably practicable in the circumstances, consult promptly and in
good faith with RREA and all affected parties in an effort to reach agreement as to what should
be done.

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9.2.5 If agreement between the Service Provider and RREA or the affected parties cannot be reached
in the time available, the Service Provider shall determine what shall be done in accordance with
the Mini Grid Code.

9.2.6 The Service Provider shall promptly refer any unforeseen circumstance identified, together with
the determinations and interpretations made, to the RREA for their consideration.

9.2.7 A customer shall comply with all instructions given to it by the Service Provider following a
determination for an unforeseen circumstance or a difference in interpretation, provided that
such instructions are consistent with the principles established in the Mini Grid Code

9.2.8 The provisions of the Mini Grid Code may be suspended in whole or in part during a Security
Period, or in accordance with an emergency declaration arising from external conditions
affecting provision of the service as may be initiated by the RREA, LERC or other competent GoL
Authority.

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SECTION 10: CONDITIONS OF SERVICE & ASSET MANAGEMENT
10.1 Establishment
10.1.1 A Service Provider shall have Conditions of Service which must be consistent with the provisions
of this Code and all other applicable Codes, regulations and legislation.

10.1.2 The Conditions of Service shall describe the operating practices and the connection policies of
the Service Provider. Subject to this Code and other applicable laws, a Service Provider shall
comply with its Conditions of Service but may waive a provision of its Conditions of Service in
favor of a customer or a prospective customer and expressed as Customer Charter with the
approval of the RREA or LERC.

10.1.3 A Service Provider shall

(a) file a copy of its Conditions of Service with the RREA and LERC;
(b) paste its Conditions of Service on a notice board at its offices;
(c) publish its Conditions of Service on its website and application form for services; and
(d) make copies of its Conditions of Service and the various forms of Customer Charter
available to customers upon request.

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10.1.4 A Service Provider’s existing Conditions of Service shall meet the standards set out in this Code
within a period of one year following the coming into force of this Code after which date the
Service Provider must fully comply.
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10.1.5 A Service Provider’s Conditions of Service may be subject to review by RREA or LERC as part of
the assessment of the Service Provider’s performance-based rates plan.

10.1.6 A Service Provider’s Conditions of Service shall include, at the minimum, a description of the
following:
(a) the types of connection services rendered by the Service Provider for each customer
class, and the conditions under which these services will be performed including the
daily service hours;
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(b) the Service Provider’s basic connection service that is recovered through its revenue
requirements;
(c) the demarcation point at which the Service Provider’s ownership of distribution
equipment ends at the customer connection point;
(d) the billing cycle period and the payment requirements by a customer;
(e) basic design requirements for connection to the mini grid network;
(f) levels of service (voltage, quality and reliability) at which the Service Provider provides
electricity supply and the corresponding maximum current or load thresholds;
(g) metering services provided by the Service Provider;
(h) type of meters required by customer class;
(i) Quality of Service standards to which the Mini Grid system is designed and operated;
(j) conditions under which supply may be unreliable or intermittent;
(k) conditions under which service may be interrupted;
(l) conditions under which the Service Provider may disconnect a consumer;
(m) policies for planned interruptions;
(n) the business process the Service Provider uses to disconnect and reconnect consumers,
including means of notification and timing;

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 (o) the Service Provider’s rights and obligations with respect to a customer;
(p) the rights and obligations that a consumer has with respect to the Service Provider;
(q) the Service Provider’s limitations in accordance with this Code;
(r) Customer relations and complaints handling procedure of the Service Provider; and
(s) the Service Provider’s dispute resolution procedure.

10.2 Good Asset Management

10.2.1 A Service Provider must:
(a) ensure that the records of an equipment that affects the integrity of the Mini Grid
system are maintained for reference, for the duration of the operational life of the
plant; and
(b) make available relevant information requested about its assets within a reasonable
time.

10.2.2 A Service Provider must use its best endeavors to:

(a) assess and record the nature, location, condition, and performance of its Mini Grid

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system assets;
(b) develop and implement plans for the acquisition, creation, maintenance, operation,
refurbishment, repair, and disposal of its Mini Grid assets to:
AF (i) comply with the laws and other performance obligations which apply to the
provision of the Mini Grid services including those contained in this Code;
(ii) minimize the risks associated with the failure or reduced performance of the
assets;
(iii) minimize cost to customers through reduction in system losses; and
(c) develop, test, or simulate and implement contingency plans (including where relevant,
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plans to strengthen security of the supply) to deal with events which have a low
probability of occurring, but are realistic and would have a substantial impact on
customers.
10.3 Customer’s Electrical Installation and Equipment
10.3.1 A customer must use best endeavors to ensure that:
(a) the customer’s electrical installation and any equipment within it:
(i) complies with this Code;
(ii) is maintained in a safe condition; and
(b) protection equipment in the customer’s premises/installation is always effectively
coordinated with the electrical characteristics of the Mini Grid system.
10.3.2 A customer must use their best endeavors to:
(a) ensure that the customer’s actions or equipment do not adversely affect the Mini Grid
and reliability and quality of supply to other customers;
(b) not allow a supply of electricity to its electrical installation to be used other than at the
customer’s premises;

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 (c) not take electricity supplied to another supply address from the customer’s supply
address; and
(d) not allow electricity supplied to the supply address to bypass the metering device
installed by the Service Provider;
10.4 Service Provider’s Equipment on Customer Premises
10.4.1 A customer must:
(a) not interfere, and must use best endeavors not to allow interference with the Service
Provider’s Mini Grid system including any of the Service Provider’s equipment installed
in or on the customer’s premises; and
(b) provide and maintain on the customer’s premises any reasonable or agreed facility
required by its Service Provider to protect any equipment of the Service Provider.
10.4.2 Provided official identification is produced by the Service Provider’s representatives on request,
a customer must always provide to the Service Provider representatives convenient and
unhindered access:
(a) to the Service Provider’s equipment for any purposes associated with the supply,

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metering or billing of electricity; and
(b) to the customer’s electrical installation for the purposes of:
(i) carrying out an inspection or testing of the customer’s electrical installation to
AF assess whether the customer is complying with this Code; or
(ii) connecting, disconnecting, or reconnecting supply, to ensure safety within
the customer’s premises for the purposes described in this section 10.4.2.
10.4.3 If necessary, the customer must provide safety equipment and appropriate safety instructions to
representatives of the Service Provider to ensure safe access to the customer’s premises.

10.4.4 In cases other than emergencies, a Service Provider must use best endeavors to access a
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customer’s premises at a time, which is reasonably convenient to both the customer and the
Service Provider.

OPERATIONS SUB-CODE
SECTION 11: MINI GRID SYSTEM TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS (or FRAMEWORK)

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 11.1 Purpose
11.1.1 The purpose of this section is to outline the minimum technical specifications and requirements
that must be followed in the development, installation, and operation of a Mini Grid system in
Liberia.

11.1.2 The technical specifications and requirements presented in this Sub-Code are developed with
the purpose of ensuring safety and reliability of mini grids.

11.2 Mini Grid Distribution Network Requirements

General
11.2.1 A Mini Grid supply system that intends to possibly interconnect with the national grid sometime
in the future shall design and build its distribution network in accordance with the standards of
the national Distribution Grid. For the avoidance of doubt, the distribution network in such cases
shall conform with the LEC design and construction standards for medium voltage, low voltage,
and service connections.

Medium voltage (MV) distribution standard

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11.2.2 A medium voltage distribution system, if used for a Mini Grid, must be designed, and
constructed at 33 kV nominal voltage and below for all locations not in the proximity of the
Monrovia grid, using conductors selected to minimize life cycle cost. For the most part, 50 mm2
Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) shall be the conductor of choice. While the main
AF lines will of necessity be three phase, liberal use of single phase, two-wire 19kV laterals with
25mm2 ACSR conductors, are recommended.

11.2.3 Poles shall be treated in accordance with the KS 516 standard titled “Wood poles for Power and
Communications Lines” and must be of length between 10 to 11 meters as defined by the final
engineering design. Centrifugal concrete or Pre-stressed Centrifugal Poles of length between 10
-11 meters are also appropriate.
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11.2.4 Pole-top structures shall follow the LEC design & construction standards for 33kV voltage levels

11.2.5 The average span between 33 kV poles will be 100 meters in open country and 50 meters in
communities where it is expected that low voltage (LV) lines will be constructed. Pole-by-pole
location shall be specified in the final engineering design documents. The design shall carefully
observe principles of cost minimization while maintaining safety clearances.

11.2.6 Distribution transformers must be dimensioned to meet load that will be served. Wherever
possible, single phase transformers shall be used in 5kVA, 10kVA and 25kVA capacities.

11.2.7 Three phase transformers may be used for large single customers such as hospitals or colleges
but shall be not less than 50 kVA in capacity with larger capacity transformers used when
justified by the size of the customer.

11.2.8 The use of MV for a Mini Grid with an inverter in the system should be carefully considered,
since the 33kV line generates a significant amount of reactive power which will have to be
absorbed by the inverter if no other reactive power consuming load is available. It may be

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 necessary for the Service Provider to consider the use of distribution reactors to consume excess
reactive power which decision must be based upon specialist design review.

11.2.9 The MV system shall be designed to ensure that voltage drop from the nominal value does not
exceed the operational limits specified in Technical Schedule TS-A. 10% of the nominal value.]

11.2.10 The low voltage (LV) windings of single-phase transformers used for a mini grid with an MV
network may be split to provide 230/460volts supply. The LV feeders emanating from these
transformers will consist of three conductors made up of a neutral and two “phases”. A
single-phase 230-volt service will be available between the neutral and each phase wire.

11.2.11 The LV conductor shall be 3x25mm2 Aerial Bundled Cable (ABC), installed so that the line length
from the transformer to the furthest consumer shall be no more than 275 meters.

Low voltage (LV) distribution standard

11.2.12 A Mini Grid system that (is without a MV network and which) relies only on a LV network shall be
designed as 400/230V three-phase four-wire systems equipped with three-phase main feeders
from the generating station and single-phase laterals.

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11.2.13 LV overhead lines shall all be ABC-type, that is, with three insulated All-Aluminum (AA) phase wires
wrapped around an insulated All-Aluminum-Alloy (AAA) neutral and conforming to the latest editions of
the IEC standards applicable to their construction, including but not limited to the following:
AF (a) IEC 60104: Aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy wire for overhead line conductors
(b) IEC 61089: Round wire concentric lay overhead electrical stranded conductors
(c) IEC 60228: Conductors of Insulated Cables
(d) IEC 60502-1: Cables for Rated Voltages of 1kV (Um=1.2KV) and 3KV (Um=3.6KV)
(e) ICEA S-76-474: Neutral-Supported Power Cable Assemblies with Weather Resistant Extruded
Insulation Rated 600 Volts.
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11.2.14 Based on economic design principles, 4x50mm2 ABC may be preferred for the main lines and
2x25mm2 ABC for the lateral lines.

11.2.15 LV network lines shall be mounted on poles of length between 8 to 9 meters with an average
span of 40-50 meters. Poles shall be treated in accordance with the KS 516 standard and pole
locations will be defined through a final design process to –

(a) maximize the number of consumers that can be connected;

(b) observe safety clearances specified in this Code and other safety regulations or codes
approved by the LERC or other relevant GoL authority; and
(c) ensure that voltage levels do not drop below 90% of nominal values.

11.2.16 The total length of any LV feeder, including laterals shall not exceed 1000 meters from the
generation station to the last consumer.

11.2.17 Service poles may be used to connect houses that are more than 30 meters from the LV line
alignment. Customer service (connection) wires shall not exceed 50 meters in length.

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 11.2.18 Consumers must be connected through an appropriate metering device as provided under
section 16 of this Code – Metering.

House wiring
11.2.19 House wiring will follow the LERC house wiring safety and quality requirements unless a ready
board is used. Ready boards will follow quality standards established by South African standard
SANS 1619:2015 Small power distribution units for single phase 230V service connections.

11.3 Solar PV Generation Design Parameters

General
11.3.1 A solar-based generation system shall be dimensioned to serve, at a minimum, the maximum
energy requirements, including battery, charger, and inverter losses in accordance with the
projections prescribed under section 7.2 - System Planning Requirements.

11.3.2 A Solar PV AC-based generation system shall include a solar photovoltaic array, battery storage,
and for a Mini Grid that has more than 550 consumers, one or more diesel generators that will
be used in a hybrid configuration in association with the solar photovoltaic/battery storage

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system.

11.3.3 Solar PV DC-based generation supply systems with battery storage may be used for smaller Mini
Grid systems in communities with smaller number of consumers or stand-alone-supply systems
for consumers technically beyond the reach of the mini-grid network installed in those
AF communities.

Solar PV array rack (mounting structure)

11.3.4 The solar photovoltaic array shall be designed to sit on a fixed-tilt racking system that is capable
of withstanding windspeeds of up to 140 kilometer per hour and oriented to maximize
generation potential over the course of the solar year.

11.3.5 A solar PV mounting structure shall have the following characteristics:

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(a) It shall be made of corrosion-resistant material such as aluminium alloy or hot dip
galvanized steels, in which case, thickness of galvanization shall exceed 80 microns.

(b) It shall be constructed as earth mounted, top-of-pole, or roof-mounted type.

(c) Mounting components such as bolts, nuts, fasteners, panel mounting clamps including
joining sections of the structure shall be made of galvanized or stainless-steel fasteners
or by welding and with bolts secured with locking washers or locknuts.

(d) In case of a welding structure, galvanization shall be done after the fabrication work.

(e) Any contact between unlike materials shall be avoided by using insulation between any
aluminium and galvanized sections; and
(f) Meet the ANSI UL 2703 requirements for PV mounting system, grounding device
safety (includes system level fire tests for PV module + mounting system
combination).

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Photovoltaic (PV) modules
11.3.6 Solar panels shall be STC-rated with a minimum of 20 years warranty for quality and service life.

11.3.7 Despite section 11.3.6, a Solar PV panel shall have the following minimum characteristics:
(a) Solar modules shall conform to the following standards:

(i) IEC 61215-2:2021 Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design
qualification and type approval.

(ii) IEC 61730-2:2016 Photovoltaic (PV) modules safety qualification – Requirements

for construction and requirement for testing.

(iii) IEC 62804 : for the detection of potential-induced degradation (PID

(b) Solar modules shall have a junction box with ingress rating IP65 or higher mounted at
the back of the panel with at least 4 mm2 cross sectional conductor area output cables.
(c) PV modules shall all have the following product warranty levels:

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(i) Manufacturing warranty (material and workmanship) - must have at least a
ten-year warranty on physical manufacture of module itself,i.e; the frame,
AF encapsulant, glass, module junction box etc.

(ii) Power output (performance) warranty: ten years warranty for 90% rated output
and 25 years warranty for 80% rated output.

(d) Bypass diodes shall be installed in each module to prevent hotspots in modules, which
occur often because of partial shading of modules.

(e) The label of the PV module shall have the following details:

(i) Name of the manufacturer,

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(ii) model number,
(iii) serial number,
(iv) short-circuit current (Isc),
(v) open-circuit voltage (Voc),
(vi) current at maximum power (Imp),
(vii) voltage at maximum power (Vmp), and
(viii) power rating of panel at standard test condition (STC)
Solar photovoltaic array Dimensioning
11.3.8 Dimensioning panel capacity shall consider a derating factor of 5% to cover degradation over
time. Dimensioning the solar PV array must be performed by accessing and using solar
irradiation data from a recognized meteorological source using flat plane irradiation figures,
provided on an hourly basis over a full calendar year. The array capacity shall be dimensioned to
meet the daily energy peak demand during the lowest solar insolation month at the tenth
project year.

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11.3.9 Demand must be evaluated on the basis of a daily load curve that distributes residential,
commercial, water supply, school, health clinic and other point demands in line with expected
diurnal consumption patterns. That is, a load curve shall be developed using a recognized
historic data-set to predict the load shape and to predict peak demand.

Solar PV Batteries
11.3.10 The preferred battery chemistry shall be lithium ion with a minimum expected life of 6 years.

11.3.11 Despite section 11.3.10, the minimum qualifications for batteries to be used with the Solar PV
generation system for a mini grid shall include the following:

(a) Cycle life: The rated cycle life of the battery shall be not less than 1,500 cycles when
discharged to 50% DOD (Depth of Discharge).

(b) Warranty: All batteries shall have at least two years warranty under the operational
conditions on site, to 80% of original rated capacity.

(c) batteries shall comply with following standards:

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(i) IEC 62485-2:2010 - Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations – Part 2:
Stationary batteries

(ii) IEC 62933/UL 9540 – Safety requirements for Energy storage systems
AF(d) (iii) IEC 60417- Graphical symbols for use on equipmentLabelling conditions: Each
battery/cell shall be –

(i) engraved with the date of manufacture.

(ii) labelled indicating

- the battery type,
- the manufacturer,
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- model number and serial number,
- voltage and
- capacity (Ah).
Inverters
11.3.12 Solar PV inverters or battery inverters are acceptable to be used for mini grids under this Code
provided they meet the following standards and certifications:

(a) IEC 62109-1:2010 (Safety of Power Converters for Use in Photovoltaic Power Systems –
Part 1: General Requirements)

(b) IEC 62109-2:2011 (Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems -
Part 2: Requirements for inverters)

(c) IEC 62109-3: Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems - Part 3:
Particular requirements for electronic devices in combination with photovoltaic elements

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 (e) (d) CE or UL 1741; andIEC 62477-1: - Safety requirements for power electronic converter
systems and equipment - Part 1: General

11.3.13 Despite section 11.3.12, the following additional qualifications are required for inverters to be
used with the Solar PV generation system for the Mini Grid system:

(a) Warranty: All inverters shall have at least 5 years warranty against manufacturing defects
(b) Efficiency: the minimum acceptable efficiency for inverters operating within over 75% of
the rated power range shall be:
(i) 95% for solar PV inverters; and
(ii) 90% for battery inverters.
(c) Inverter protection: All inverters shall have

(i) protection for over temperature and excessive DC voltage

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(ii) minimum IP54 ingress protection rating for outdoor installations

(d) Labelling: Each inverter device shall be labelled with at least the following information:
AF (i) name of manufacturer;
(ii) model number & Serial number;
(iii) frequency;
(iv) input and output voltage; and
(v) rated power.
PV charge controllers
11.3.14 If PV charge controllers are used, they shall have the following characteristics:
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(a) Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) or Pulse Width Modulated (PWM)

(b) PV charging efficiency at least 90% based on IEC 61683: Photovoltaic System-Power
Conditioners - Procedure for Measuring Efficiency

(c) Rated current at 50o C must be at minimum 120% of peak array current (Isc)

(d) Protected from dust ingress (IP54 or higher).

(e) Controllers to be certified to meet at least one of the following standards:

(i) CE or UL 1741 Marking
(ii) IEC 62509 Battery charge controllers for PV systems - Performance and
functioning
(iii) IEC 62093:Balance of system components for PV systems – Design qualification
natural environments

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Battery storage and inverters - design & Dimensioning
11.3.15 Battery storage shall be dimensioned to ensure a minimum of 24 hours of autonomy during
periods of low solar insolation conditions.

11.3.16 If the batteries are not equipped with inverters, the grid interactive solar photovoltaic (PV)
inverter shall be dimensioned using the inverter DC-rated input power to accommodate the
required DC-rated PV output.

11.3.17 The system output voltage shall be 230/400 volts three-phase and at a frequency of 50 Hertz
(Hz). The battery bi-directional inverter and charger shall be rated to charge the battery bank at
least at one third (C/3) of the battery capacity and shall have an inverting rating sufficient to
cover the estimated peak demand of the system.

11.3.18 If the grid interactive PV Inverter and the battery bi-directional inverter and charger are not
equipped with integrated DC surge arrestors, integrated surge arrestors should be provided
separately.

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11.3.19 Positive cables between batteries and inverters shall be protected with DC-rated over-current
protection and disconnect (either circuit breaker or fused disconnect) of appropriate rating to
protect cables in the event of a short circuit.
AF 11.4
General
Hydropower Generation Design Parameters

11.4.1 The requirements in this section 11.4 of this Code shall apply to hydropower facilities that
employ a weir, canal, and penstock.

11.4.2 If a developer chooses to employ other technologies that do not require these structures, then
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the LERC and RREA must apply an appropriate subset of requirements listed herein and may
impose other requirements that pertain to the proposed configuration and equipment
employed.

Powerhouse
11.4.3 The hydro generation powerhouse of a Mini Grid shall have the following minimum
characteristics:

(a) The powerhouse shall be located above the maximum 25-year flood levels as observed
by residents near the site.

(b) The floor area of the powerhouse shall be sufficient to safely place the equipment and
carry out routine maintenance work conveniently. Adequate spacing and easy access to
the electrical and electromechanical equipment from all sides shall be maintained for
ease of operation and maintenance.

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 (c) Window areas of the powerhouse shall be equivalent to at least 10% of the powerhouse
floor area to ensure adequate passive ventilation in the absence or failure of automatic
temperature control equipment.

(d) The minimum height between floor and ceiling shall be 3 meters or 10 feet. Roofing
material shall be made of fire-resistant materials such as tile or corrugated sheets. In
case of corrugated sheets, the minimum thickness shall be 0.47mm. The roof shall be
watertight and shall extend at least 1 meter or 3 feet over walls to prevent water from
entering through window portals.

(e) The power-house door shall be designed with adequate spacing for easy installation and
removal of equipment. For safety reasons, the door shall be outward opening.

(f) Workers’ quarters or rest house with basic facilities such as bathroom/washroom and
essential living furniture shall accompany the powerhouse design as it is necessary for
an operator to be present all the times during normal system operation.

Civil works – concrete and steel

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11.4.4 Concrete mixtures in hydropower civil works structures shall follow the ratios of cement, sand,
and gravel (C:S:G) as described below for:
(a) base (screed) concretes – 1:2:4 (Grade 15)
AF (b)foundations and other structures – 1:1.5:3 (Grade 20)
(c) water-bearing structures such as the forebay tank, weir and channel of a hydropower
facility – 1:1:2 (Grade 25)
(d)Tor steel or rebar (reinforcing bar) used for construction shall comply with BS
4449-2005 and bends shall comply with BS 8666.

Weir & intake

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11.4.5 The weir and intake structures of the powerhouse of a hydro generation Mini Grid system shall
have the following minimum characteristics:

(a) The weir should be located at a river section with short width, with an exposed bedrock
or where depth to the bedrock is minimum, along with considerable upstream storage
(in the case that flows are restricted during the dry season).

(b) Intake shall be selected such that minimum debris will enter the system during flooding
period.

(c) Intake shall be equipped with a trash rack to prevent clogging; a control gate to control
the water flow to the channel and flood barrier wall to make the control gate operations
possible during high flow periods. Trash rack shall have
(i) preferably iron rods or flat iron;

(ii) welded with a gap, decided based on the turbine supplier’s recommendation; and

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 (iii)rod orienting upward (vertical) direction without cross bars, making it easy for the
plant personnel to clean efficiently with a rake.

(d) The intake shall be located such that it can be accessed during high flood period.

(e) A sluice gate (flush gate) shall be designed based on the maximum silt load of the
stream and shall be located at the lowest point of the weir with a proper controlling
mechanism.

(f) Erosion and deepening of downstream riverbed, due to scouring action, of weir and
spillways shall be considered in the design phase and shall be protected with suitable
mechanism or structures incorporated in weir design.

Channel
11.4.6 The design considerations for the channel of a Mini Grid hydropower station shall include the
following:
(a) Freeboard allowance of 30% shall be kept when designing the channel dimensions.

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(b) To limit erosion in the channel, maximum channel velocity shall conform to the
specifications in Table 2. In case of silty water, channel velocity shall be maintained at
the minimum velocity of 0.3 m/s to prevent clogging of the channel.
AF Table 2: Maximum channel velocity for different types of hydro channels
Type of channel
Concrete channels with no internal plaster
Rubble and masonry channel with smooth plaster
Maximum
velocity (m/s)
2
1.8
Clay channel 1.5
Earth Channel 0.7
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Forebay
11.4.7 The forebay of the powerhouse of a Mini Grid hydropower station shall comprise of the
following sections and characteristics:

(a) The settling tank section shall settle and filter particles above 0.3 mm in diameter.

(b) A manually operated sluice gate (flush gate) and spillway shall be incorporated to the
settling section to flush the silt collected from time to time.

(c) A second trash rack shall be included in the forebay section with rod spacing at similar
proportions to the weir intake trash rack.

(d) The penstock penetration through the forebay shall be deep enough to avoid vortex
formation but must be positioned at least 150 mm above the forebay tank floor to
prevent silt and small stones from entering the penstock.

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 (e) A vent pipe with a sufficient diameter shall be fixed to the penstock or bell mouth
section to prevent implosion of the penstock due to surge pressure.

Penstock and Supports

11.4.8 The penstock and support structures of the powerhouse of a Mini Grid hydropower station shall
have the following characteristics:

(a) Penstock shall ideally have constant gradient in each section (i.e. straight from one
anchor to the next).

(b) An air release valve shall be fitted to the highest point if air is likely to be trapped due to
the layout of the penstock.

(c) Penstock material and thickness shall consider pressure due to normal operation as well
as any surge that might occur due to blockage, with a safety factor of at least 2.

(d) Penstocks laid above ground shall be supported at 6m intervals with a slide block or
support block. In the event of support blocks, minimum of 120 degrees of the penstock

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circumference shall be firmly in contact with the support block. These supports and slide
blocks may be made with concrete, rubble, and masonry.

(e) In all bends, an anchor block made of reinforced concrete shall be constructed to
AF counterbalance the forces that occur because of change of momentum of water.
Possible penstock failing scenarios like toppling, sliding, sinking/lifting forces shall be
considered when sizing the anchor blocks.

(f) Underground steel and PVC penstocks shall be buried at least 300 mm beneath the
ground and shall be on a sand bed. No slide or support blocks apart from anchor blocks
at the bends are required in underground penstocks.
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(g) Rubber sheets or tar sheets (graphite asbestos sheet) of minimum thickness of 3 mm
must be placed between a steel penstock and supports to prevent abrasion due to
thermal expansion and contraction.

(h) Expansion joints are required in steel penstocks to minimize the stress created due to
thermal expansion and contraction.

(i) A tailrace shall be constructed with reinforced concrete and shall create a safe passage
of water back to the stream downstream of the power-house. Steps or rock
protuberance shall be incorporated to break the water speed and to minimize erosion.

Micro-hydropower generator and controls

11.4.9 The turbine of a hydropower Mini Grid station shall have the following characteristics:
(a) The turbine shall be able to operate at runaway speed or loss of load condition for two
hours without mechanical failure.

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 (b) The water flow through the turbine must be able to be fully stopped by a valve or guide
vanes to allow for turbine maintenance. The valve shall be a slow-closing (at least 10
seconds) type to prevent build-up of a pressure wave in the penstock pipe.

(c) The turbine shall have a sealing mechanism to prevent water from flowing along the
shaft and entering the generator.

(d) In configurations where the turbine is coupled directly to the generator, a flexible
coupling is advised to protect against bearing failure from misalignment.

11.4.10 The generator and controls of a hydropower Mini Grid station shall have the following
characteristics:
(a) The generator must have the means of controlling voltage and frequency that are within
the limits specified in Technical Schedule TS-A under all conditions from 0% to 100%
load.

(b) If the generator is the induction type, excitation capacitor banks shall have an

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over-current device to stop the generation of excessive voltage and damage to the
alternator in the case of turbine overspeed or runaway speed.

11.5 Electricity Supply Stations

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Safety and Protective arrangements
11.5.1 A Service Provider shall take all necessary precautionary measures and arrangements in the
layout of its plant and equipment to ensure safety at its electricity supply stations.

11.5.2 The Service Provider shall at the minimum identify the following key safety issues and concerns
and establish the necessary procedures and safety measures to address them:
(a) Spaces in which electric supply conductors or equipment are installed shall be protected
from entrance of unauthorized persons.
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(b) Floors shall have even surfaced and secure footing.

(c) Each room with working electrical equipment shall have the means of exit that is kept
clear of obstructions.

(d) Mechanical parts such as pulleys, belts, or other parts that transmit mechanical power
shall have guards installed to prevent injury.

(e) Suddenly moving parts of equipment that operate in such a way that persons in the
vicinity are likely to be injured by such movement shall be guarded or isolated.

(f) Electrical Danger warning signs must be installed at all access points to the yard and
building.

(g) Fire extinguishers of appropriate type must be installed and maintained in the building.

(h) The name of the plant must be displayed clearly on the front of the building.

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 (i) Sufficient lighting must be installed to do safe work on any equipment by day or night.

Battery installations (where applicable)

11.5.3 A Service Provider shall provide for appropriate safety and protective precautionary measures in
the design and layout for battery installations when required at the electricity supply station and
at the minimum, address the following concerns:

(a) Provide for adequate space around batteries to allow for safe maintenance, testing,
battery replacement, and inspection. Space shall also be provided above the cells to
allow for operation, taking measurements, adding water (if cells are flooded type), and
for lifting equipment when required.

(b) Storage batteries shall be in an area accessible only to qualified persons or within a
protective enclosure such as a fence, battery room, case, or cage that limits the chances
of contact with energized parts.

(c) The battery area shall be ventilated either by a fan or by a natural ventilation system to

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limit hydrogen accumulation and explosion risk in flooded lead-acid batteries.

(d) Racks that support battery cells shall be firmly anchored, preferably to the floor. Racks
made of metal shall be earthed.
AF (e) The floor material in battery areas shall be of a material that resists corrosion from
electrolyte. Provision shall be made to keep spilled electrolyte from leaking to areas
where it can cause damage.

(f) Battery areas shall be provided with goggles or face shield, acid-resistant gloves,
protective aprons, first aid kit and water to use to rinse skin in case of contact with
electrolyte.
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On-site fuel storage
11.5.4 A Service Provider shall take appropriate safety and protective precautionary measures at the
electricity supply station where on-site fuel storage is required, including the following design
considerations at the minimum:

(a) All tanks, pipes, valves, and pipe fittings shall be designed and built, in accordance with
an approved standard and shall have a safety factor that is adequate for the condition of
the services.

(b) The storage facility shall incorporate spillage control such as

(i) remote impounding,
(ii) impounding around tanks - bunding or
(iii)by a combination of both (i) and (ii).

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11.5.5 In both types of impounding provided in section 11.5.4 (b), the Service Provider shall ensure that
the impoundment area is protected by adequately designed systems to prevent the
contamination of ground water, if such a risk exists.

11.6 Classification of Levels of Service

11.6.1 The levels of service that define the standard technical specifications for power quality,
reliability, and availability supported under this Mini grid Code for different end-user services
shall be as provided in Table 3 based on the SE4All Tier rating system.

11.6.2 A Mini Grid system operating under this Code shall adhere to the quality of supply and service
standards equivalent, at the minimum, to –
(a) Tier 1 under the SE4All rating system as the base level for a DC-based mini grid system and

(b) Tier 2 under the SE4All rating system as the base level for an AC-based mini grid system.

Table 3: SE4All Levels of Service classification

Level of Service 🡺 Base Standard High

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Supply type 🡺 DC AC AC/DC AC AC
Attributes Tier-1 Tier-2 Tier-3 Tier-4 Tier-5
Peak Power (W) ≥3W ≥ 50 W ≥ 200 W ≥ 800 W ≥ 2000 W
≥ 12 Wh ≥ 200 Wh ≥ 1000 Wh ≥ 3400 Wh ≥ 8200 Wh
AF Capacity
Energy Use
Availability
Wh/day
kWh/year
Hrs/day
≥ 4.38 ≥ 73
≥ 4 hrs ≥ 4 hrs
Hrs/evening ≥ 1 hr. ≥ 2 hrs
≥ 365
≥ 8 hrs
≥ 3 hrs
≥ 1250
≥ 16 hrs
≥ 4 hrs
≥ 3000
≥ 23 hrs
≥ 4 hrs

11.7 Quality of Supply

11.7.1 The quality of supply standard under this Code is specified for each level of service in terms of
the nominal voltage, voltage variations, voltage imbalance, harmonic voltage distortion effects
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and frequency of the supply at the connection point.

11.7.2 A Service Provider shall follow good utility practice in managing the power quality of the Mini
Grid system through monitoring of the parameters set out in section 11.7.1 of this Code. The
Service Provider must define in its Conditions of Service, the quality of supply standards and the
minimum service levels to which its Mini Grid system is designated and operated.

Nominal Voltage
11.7.3 The standards for nominal voltage levels and allowed tolerance limits for steady state operations
at a connection point of the Mini Grid system are as specified in Technical Schedule TS-A of this
Code.

Transient voltage variations

11.7.4 Under fault (such as lightning strikes) and circuit switching conditions the rated frequency
component of voltage may fall or rise transiently. The fall or rise in voltage will be affected by the
method of earthing of the neutral point of the Mini Grid system, and voltage may fall transiently

47
 to zero at the point of fault. The transient voltage variation limits allowed at a connection point
in the Mini Grid system must be as specified in Technical Schedule TS-A of this Code.

11.7.5 The mini grid system or any other connected network or equipment shall be designed and
operated to include devices that will mitigate the effects of transient over voltages within the
Mini Grid system and the Service Provider shall take into account the effect of electrical
transients when specifying the insulation of its electrical equipment and any other connected
equipment to match the quality requirements for the level of services provided in accordance
with the classification in Table 3.

Voltage imbalance
11.7.6 Voltage imbalance defines the degree to which the three phases of the electrical supply at a
connection point are not identical either in magnitude or displacement (or both) [for a 3-phase
Mini Grid system]. Voltage imbalance can be described in terms of the contribution of zero
sequence voltages and the contribution of negative sequence voltages.

11.7.7 Phase voltage imbalance in the mini grid system shall not exceed the limits as specified in
Technical Schedule TS-A for operations corresponding to the three levels of service considered

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under this Code (base, standard & high) respectively.

Frequency
11.7.8 The nominal frequency of operation for an AC Mini Grid system under this Code shall be 50 Hz
AF and the permissible limits of variation shall be as specified in the Technical Schedule TS-A. A
Service Provider and customers shall ensure that their Equipment including the generators can
operate reliably and safely within the specified supply frequency limits during the service hours
and can withstand the limits specified under System Stress and extreme System fault conditions.

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)

11.7.9 Total harmonic distortion (THD) of the AC waveshape within an AC Mini Grid and at a PoCC of a
customer connection shall not exceed the limits specified in Technical Schedule TS-A for each
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level of service.

11.8 Availability of Supply

11.8.1 The standard for availability of supply under this Code is specified for each Level of Service in
terms of the power capacity and energy generation supply adequacy at the connection point,
and the hours of service per day provided to a customer as specified in Table 3 under section
11.6.

11.8.2 The power capacity delivery capability of a Mini Grid system shall be established by the Service
Provider in accordance with the Level of Service classification specified in Table 3. The Service
Provider shall ensure that the power generation capacity provides supply at a value that is
consistent with the peak of the ten-year forecast value based upon the projected average
consumption of all customer categories as stated in Table 1 under section 7.2.3.

11.8.3 The service hours capability of the Mini Grid shall be established by the Service Provider in
accordance with the Level of Service to be provided as specified in Table 3. A Service Provider

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 shall endeavor to adhere to the committed minimum hours of service established for day and
nighttime services, respectively.

11.9 Supply Reliability

11.9.1 Power supply reliability represents how consistently the Mini Grid provides power, specifically
between the defined levels of service and the actual service that is provided. The standard for
reliability of supply under this Code is specified for each Level of Service in terms of assessment
of two indices, System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) and System Average
Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), considering the frequency and duration of electrical outages
due to interruptions of supply to customers.

11.9.2 The SAIFI measures the average number of power outages that an average customer experiences
in defined period, typically a year, and is defined as:
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝑆𝐴𝐼𝐹𝐼 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑆𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑

11.9.3 The SAIDI measures the average number of minutes (or hours) that an average customer is
without power over the defined period, typically a year, and is defined as:

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𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠 (𝑜𝑟 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠) 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝑆𝐴𝐼𝐷𝐼 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑆𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑

11.9.4 The SAIFI and SAIDI values for a Mini Grid operating under this Code shall be adjusted or
AF normalized to reflect the percent of planned service hours for the period, corresponding to the
Level of Service provided. This is required to ensure a meaningful basis for comparison of
reliability of supply between different Mini Grids as the use of these indices normally assumes
24/7 daily supply.

11.9.5 The indices shall be calculated separately for planned interruptions (P-SAIFIxx, P-SAIDIxx) and
unplanned interruptions (SAIDIxx, SAIFIxx) with the annotation which must reflect the number of
hours per day service expected to be provided.
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SECTION 12: MINI GRID INTERCONNECTION REQUIREMENTS
12.1 Purpose
The purpose of this section is to present the requirements and procedures for the safe, reliable and
efficient interconnection of a Mini Grid system with the national grid infrastructure.

12.2 Liberia Power System characteristics

12.2.1 The characteristic voltage levels and frequency of power supply in Liberia are as provided in
Table 4.

Table 4: Characteristics of the Liberia power supply system

Segment Characteristic Operating values
a) Transmission Voltage (V) 225kV & 132kV

b) Sub-transmission Voltage (V) 66kV

c) Distribution Voltage (V) ≤33kV

d) Utilization Voltage (V) 230V/415V

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e) System Frequency Hertz (Hz) 50Hz
AF 12.3 Interconnection Requirements
12.3.1 Interconnection requirements for any isolated power station that has the plan to connect with
an infrastructure at any connection point within the supply segment of the national grid (i.e.,
transmission or distribution segment) will be required to comply with minimum technical, design
and operational conditions provided in this section 12 of this Code and shall be consistent with
the obligations, procedures and provisions in the Liberia Electricity Distribution Code and the
Grid Code.
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Generation
12.3.2 Mini Grid generation stations that may include small hydroelectric plants, solar photovoltaic
arrays, biomass gasification stations, and other conventional and renewable power stations will
be required to employ adjustable frequency regulators capable of operating at full output over a
frequency range as specified in the Liberia Electricity Grid Code.

12.3.3 All hydropower plants must be fully commissioned, complete full load testing and all safety tests
before an interconnection application will be considered.

12.3.4 The interconnection station between the Mini Grid and the national grid must be equipped with
isolation/protection devices as described in the following sections and must also be equipped
with a revenue-grade metering station to meter imported and exported power. The precision
and accuracy of the metering station shall be in accordance with the Liberia Electricity Grid
Code.

Synchronization
12.3.5 To perform manual paralleling of AC generators, the Service Provider must use appropriate
devices such as:

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 (a) voltmeters with voltage matching window of + 2.5% or less;
(b) synchroscopes with phase angle acceptance window of + 5 deg. or less; and
(c) frequency meters with frequency matching window of 0.1 Hz or less.

12.3.6 Generators with greater than 1 MW nameplate power rating must have automatic synchronizing
relay or automatic synchronizer.

Voltage
12.3.7 Voltage levels used for a Mini Grid by a Service Provider shall comply with the standard voltages
used in the Liberia power system. No equipment should be acquired and connected to the Mini
Grid whose nameplate voltage varies from the operating voltage of the Mini Grid as specified in
Technical Schedule TS-A.

Active and reactive power

12.3.8 Following the premise that the reactive power should be controlled as well as real power, the
non-beneficial exchange of reactive power between the Mini Grid and the national grid shall be
minimized. The responsibility for installation of reactive power correction equipment shall lie
with the partner generating the objectionable reactive power.

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Isolation
12.3.9 When a Mini Grid is connected to the national grid, a disconnect switch shall be installed at the
point of interconnection and shall provide physical and visible isolation from the national grid.
AF Such a device shall:

(a) simultaneously open all phases (gang operated) to the connected facilities;
(b) be accessible by operator of the national grid and may be under the jurisdiction of the
grid System Operator;
(c) be lockable in the open position by the operator of the national grid;
(d) Not be operated without advance notice to either party, unless an emergency condition
requires that the device be opened to isolate the interconnection facilities; and
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(e) be suitable for safe operation under the conditions of use.

12.3.10 The Mini Grid must be designed to include as many switching devices as economically viable to
isolate faults. They will include, at the minimum, two switches to isolate every one third of load.

12.3.11 A distribution feeder must be protected from line-side faults through different devices:
(a) Circuit breaker – A breaker with the capacity to interrupt maximum available fault
current. The breaker settings will allow for the feeder to be disconnected before the
damage curve of the cable is reached.
(b) Fuses – A safety device including a strip of wire that melts when the current exceeds a
determined level.

12.3.12 Protective devices in the distribution feeders shall isolate faults or equipment and protect other
components of the network within the specified fault clearance time. The maximum fault
clearance time in the user’s side shall not exceed 3 seconds.

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Quality
12.3.13 A Service Provider shall design and operate the interconnected Mini grid system in such a way
that voltage and frequency are maintained under normal conditions within the limits prescribed
in Technical Schedule TS-A.

12.3.14 Generating units must withstand mechanical stress due to line-side faults with clearing time of
up to 3.0 seconds.

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SECTION 13: MINI GRID OPERATIONS
13.1 Purpose
13.1.1 The purpose of this section is to provide guidelines, criteria and procedures required to facilitate
safe, reliable, and efficient supply of power from the Mini Grid to customers under normal and
emergency conditions.

13.1.2 The provisions under this section of the Code shall apply to all Mini Grid Service Providers.

13.2 General Responsibilities of a Mini Grid Service Provider

13.2.1 A Service Provider must operate the Mini Grid system to achieve the highest degree of reliability
practicable given the circumstances and take appropriate remedial action promptly to relieve
any abnormal condition that may jeopardize its operations.

13.2.2 A Service Provider must co-ordinate and monitor the voltage operating on the Mini Grid to
ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the system. The Service Provider must operate
the system in such a way as to minimize adverse effects of disturbances on customers.

13.2.3 A Service Provider is responsible for efficient restoration of the Mini Grid system after supply

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interruptions.

13.2.4 In the event of a partial or total system shut down because of a disturbance on the Mini Grid
system, the Service Provider must investigate and carry out the necessary restoration operations
AF to minimize the outage time of customers.

13.2.5 A Service Provider must:

(a) establish and implement operating instructions, procedures, standards, and guidelines
to cover the safe operation of the Mini Grid system under normal and abnormal system
conditions; and

(b) maintain a database (or record) with version control of all the documents, relating to the
establishment and implementation contemplated in paragraph (a), in compliance with
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license conditions.

13.2.6 The Service Provider must operate the Mini Grid system, as far as reasonably possible, within the
defined technical standards and equipment ratings.

13.2.7 The Service provider must manage constraints on the Mini Grid system through the
determination of operational limits.

13.2.8 A Service Provider must ensure adequate and reliable communications between its power
station, control center and substations to achieve the degree of service reliability agreed with its
customers.

13.2.9 A Service Provider must determine and review on a regular basis the relay settings for main and
backup protection on the Mini Grid system.

13.2.10 A Service Provider must develop, implement, and maintain adequate communication strategy
and links with its customers to assure a high degree of customer service relations in accordance
with the LERC’s Customer Service and Quality of Service and Supply Regulations.

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13.2.11 A Service Provider shall engage the services of qualified and certified operators and technicians
with appropriate training to minimize human errors during operations and maintenance of the
Mini Grid system.

13.3 Mini Grid Operating States

13.3.1 The operating states of a Mini Grid system under this Code are defined as Normal, Contingency
(Alert) or Emergency when the following operating conditions exist:

(a) Normal: Refers to the operation of the network in the condition as originally planned and
designed to satisfy load and voltage including the following:
(i) the system frequency is within the specified limits for normal operations of an AC
Mini Grid system;
(ii) maximum voltage drop is within the specified limits of sending voltage and within
the specified normal operational limits;
(iii)the normal conductor loading of all distribution feeders and other equipment are
below 85% of their continuous ratings (50% ampacity of conductors required in

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Year-1 of operation to provide for reserve to assist adjacent faulted feeders);
(b) Contingency: Refers to operation of the network outside the limits of normal operation
where critical control parameters start to creep out of range including the following:
AF (i) the system frequency is outside the limits for the Normal operating condition for
an AC Mini Grid system;
(ii) the network voltage drops exceed the limits from sending end voltage resulting in
connecting point voltages falling outside the stipulated operational limits;
(iii)there is critical loading or imminent overloading of feeders and other system
equipment; and
(iv)a weather or switching disturbance that affects the operations.
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(c) Emergency: Refers to the network condition resulting in any of the following
occurrences:
(i) permanent fault on a feeder;
(ii) network switching to isolate a fault;
(iii)operation of switching equipment to allow for some back-feeding; or
(iv)partial or total system collapse.
13.3.2 A Service Provider shall:
(a) establish through technical studies and operating experience the capability of
components of the Mini Grid system for both normal and emergency conditions; and
(b) ensure that Mini Grid system equipment is operated within the established normal
rating except for temporary conditions after a contingency has occurred.
13.3.3 When line (or feeder) loading, equipment loading, voltage levels or frequency deviate from
normal operating limits or can be expected to exceed emergency limits following a contingency,

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 and reliability of bulk power supply is threatened, the Service Provider shall take immediate
steps to relieve the conditions.

13.4 Mini Grid System Monitoring and Control

13.4.1 A Service Provider shall monitor the voltage, frequency, and power factor on the Mini Grid
system at identified critical points at peak and off-peak hours and take reasonable measures for
improvement when required.

13.4.2 Important data such as Voltage, Current, Power Factor, Power (kW), Transformer data such as tap
position, oil/winding temperature, etc. shall be logged periodically (typically on hourly basis) at
substations and for supply feeders and appropriate records maintained in addition to the
following:

(a) Operation and maintenance manuals for Equipment and the entire supply system
(consisting of details of system operation and maintenance of Equipment),
(b) Maintenance registers for the Equipment and station batteries,

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(c) Interruption Registers,
(d) Line Fault Clearance Register, and
(e) Equipment registers.

13.4.3 A Service Provider shall operate the network and equipment within their normal rating values,
AF allowing overload only for a short period of time during major contingencies.

13.4.4 A Service Provider is responsible for keeping a log of all the data and events in the network and
shall submit the record monthly to RREA and LERC.

13.5 Operations Plan, Procedures and Manuals

13.5.1 A Service Provider shall be responsible for developing operational plans to manage the system
operations to ensure a safe and reliable delivery of power supply to customers, including the
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following plans:

(a) Generation and distribution operation plan;

(b) System maintenance plan; and
(c) Emergency and contingency response plans.

13.5.2 A Service Provider shall develop and periodically update a logical plan for each power generating
unit operator to re-establish the system in a stable and orderly manner in the event of a partial
or total collapse of the system.
13.5.3 A Service Provider shall develop manuals detailing procedures that must be followed to ensure a
systematic response to operational issues affecting the delivery of safe and reliable services
including manuals and procedures for:

(a) Switching equipment and network switching devices;

(b) Disconnection and reconnection of supply;
(c) Restoration of supply following an outage; and
(d) Emergency response & management procedures.

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 13.6 Service Provider’s Right to Interrupt Supply
A Service Provider may interrupt supply at any time for any of the following reasons:
(a) planned maintenance, repair, or augmentation of the Mini Grid system;

(b) unplanned maintenance or repair of the Mini Grid system in circumstances where, in
the opinion of the Service Provider, the customer’s electrical installation or the system
poses an immediate threat of injury or material damage to any person, property or the
Mini Grid system;

(c) to shed load/energy because the total demand for electricity at the relevant time
exceeds the total supply available;

(d) the installation of a new supply to another customer;

(e) in the case of an emergency; or

(f) to restore supply to a customer.

13.7 Planned Interruptions

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13.7.1 In the case of a planned interruption or outage, the Service Provider must provide affected
customers with information relating to the expected date of the outage, time and duration of
the outage and must establish reasonable means of communication to the affected customers
for outage related enquiries.
AF
13.7.2 The information and communication requirements expected from a Service Provider to affected
customers of a planned interruption shall be in accordance with procedures prescribed in LERC’s
Customer Service and Quality of Supply Regulations.

13.7.3 A Service Provider’s policies and procedures with respect to planned outages shall be described
in the Conditions of Service.

13.8 Unplanned Interruptions and outages

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13.8.1 For unplanned interruptions to power supply or an emergency arising from any system
contingency or breakdown of a Mini Grid equipment, leading to either a partial or total system
blackout, a Service Provider must:
(a) upon being advised of the interruption or emergency make the necessary efforts, as
soon as practical, to inform customers through a convenient means of communication as
established in its Customer Charter on the nature of the interruption and an estimate of
the time when supply will be restored or when reliable information on restoration of
supply will be available;

(b) provide options for customers who call the service to be directly connected to a
telephone operator if required; and

(c) use best endeavors to restore the customer’s supply as soon as possible making
allowance for reasonable priorities such as hospitals, clinics, and other essential
community services.

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13.8.2 The Service Provider must fall on its established Emergency Response and Management Plan
which must allow for safe and orderly recovery from a partial or complete system collapse, with
minimum impact on customers.

13.9 Disconnection and Reconnection

13.9.1 A Service Provider may disconnect supply to the supply address of a customer if the customer
fails to comply with the written notice of non-compliance issued by the Service Provider or
breaches any arrangement entered into between the Service provider and the customer
including non-compliance with the applicable standards and payment obligations of the
customer.

13.9.2 A Service Provider shall establish a process for disconnection and reconnection that specifies
timing and means of notification consistent with the LERC’s Customer Service and Quality of
Supply Regulations.

13.9.3 In developing physical and business processes for disconnection and reconnection, a Service
Provider shall consider safety and reliability as a primary requirement and document same in its
Customer Charter.

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13.10.1 A Service Provider shall use its discretion in taking action to mitigate unauthorized energy use.
Upon identification of possible unauthorized energy use, a Service Provider shall disconnect the
supply and investigate.

13.10.2 A Service Provider shall monitor losses and unaccounted for energy use on a quarterly basis to
detect any upward trends that may indicate the need for management policies to moderate
unauthorized energy use.

13.10.3 A Service Provider may recover from the customer responsible for the unauthorized energy use
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all reasonable costs incurred by the Service Provider arising from unauthorized energy use by the
Customer.

13.11 Illegal Supply and/or Power Theft

A Service Provider may disconnect supply to a customer's supply address immediately and may proceed
further to take any other appropriate legal action if:

(a) the supply of electricity to a customer's electrical installation is used other than at the
customer’s premises, except in accordance with the Law;

(b) a customer takes at the customer’s supply address electricity supplied to another supply
address;

(c) a customer tampers with, or permits tampering with, the meter or associated
equipment; or

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 (d) a customer allows electricity supplied to the customer’s supply address to bypass the
meter.

SECTION 14: Safety, Health & Environment

14.1 Purpose
14.1.1 This section establishes the principles and arrangements that ensure safe working conditions for
personnel working on or near Mini Grid system equipment or personnel who may have to work
on or use equipment at the Connection Points.

14.1.2 The concern is necessary and considered very important because the electromechanical systems
that constitute the Mini Grid system are designed so that when operated normally, they are safe
for workmen and the environment, but they contain inherent dangers hence the need to
operate them in accordance with Safety Rules and Procedures.

14.1.3 This section of the Code presents minimum safety guidelines and standards for Mini Grid design,
construction, and operation to contain any of the inherent dangers posed.

14.2 Safety Coordination

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14.2.1 A Service provider shall follow good utility practice in operating and maintaining the Mini Grid
system and shall abide by safety rules and regulations that apply to routine utility work.

14.2.2 A Service Provider must in accordance with the relevant legislation governing health and safety
AF in the workplace establish a health and safety management plan and implementation guidelines
to ensure the health and safety of personnel working on the Mini Grid system or any equipment
connected to it.

14.2.3 The implementation guidelines and procedures for the health and safety management plan
required in section 14.2.2 must have a set of rules and instructions for implementing safety
precautions on Medium Voltage and Low Voltage equipment and must contain, at the least, the
following details:
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(a) safety coordination procedures;
(b) appointment of safety coordinators or authorized safety personnel;
(c) safety logs and record of safety precautions;
(d) location of safety precautions;
(e) implementation of safety precautions;
(f) environmental safety issues; and
(g) documentation control.
14.2.4 Workmen must adopt the implementation guidelines as a rule of practice for any work that is to
be done on the Mini Grid system or on an installation of the customer.

14.2.5 Safety procedures will be always observed, and proper personal protective equipment will be
used to guarantee safety of workmen and safe operations of energized networks.

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 14.3 Safety Code
Minimum Working Clearances from Energized Overhead Electric Utility Lines
14.3.1 Medium voltage clearances for 33 kV distribution line will be constructed with a minimum
vertical clearance of 6.5 meters from phase to ground, and a minimum horizontal clearance of
2.8 meters.

14.3.2 Low voltage clearance for 400/230 Volt distribution line will be constructed with a minimum
vertical clearance of 5.5 meters from phase to ground, and a minimum horizontal clearance of
1.7 meters for bare lines and 0.5 meters for insulated conductors.

14.3.3 Operation of line trucks including cranes, bucket trucks, digger-derricks, and similar equipment,
any part of which is capable of vertical, lateral, or swinging motion is forbidden by law to
operate within 3 meters, of energized overhead distribution lines with bare conductors. Lines
shall be de-energized prior to construction or maintenance activities when using maintenance
vehicles with cranes, elevation buckets or other equipment with similar features.

14.3.4 The owner, contractor, or association responsible for temporary work in the vicinity of medium

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voltage or low voltage distribution lines must notify the Service Provider at least 48 hours before
the work begins. No work shall begin until the persons responsible for the temporary work and
the Service Provider have made satisfactory arrangements to de-energize and ground, move, or
relocate the line to prevent accidental contact.
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14.3.5 In situations where work or maintenance on nearby signs, buildings, bridges, and any such other
work would require persons unqualified in electrical line construction, maintenance or repair to
place themselves or any conductive object within 3 meters of uninsulated energized medium or
low voltage electric lines, it shall be the responsibility of the owner, the contractor, and/or the
association performing the work to ensure before work begins that the appropriate
arrangements with the Service Provider have been made and that any required arrangements
have been completed to prevent accidental contact.
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Construction site signaling
14.3.6 All construction and remodeling activities regardless of size and/or scope must be fenced,
barricaded, or otherwise protected to restrict public entrance and to ensure the safety of those
in the general area. The owner, contractor, or association performing any works in the Mini Grid
system or network are responsible for the isolation of the construction area.

14.4 Health Safety and Environment

14.4.1 A Service Provider shall abide by the health safety rules and regulations that apply to routine
work.

14.4.2 A Service Provider shall implement an industry recognized health safety program that includes
training and regularly conducted audits. This program also will include Public Education and
Public Health Safety Initiatives.

14.4.3 Any problems that a Service Provider identifies as part of the audit shall be remedied as soon as
possible or in accordance with the Service Provider’s health safety program.

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14.4.4 The Service Provider shall prepare and implement an environmental corporate policy program
[such as the Service Provider’s Technical and Safety Management Plan (TSMP) and Health and
Environmental Management Plan (HEMP)] supporting procedures and appropriate training to
ensure compliance with environmental regulations and indicate a proactive approach to
environmental damage avoidance.

PART D: STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

Introduction

The Standards of Performance, in this Part D. states the indicators and benchmarks for quality and
reliability of supply for each level of service provided. The Part also contains the sub-code for metering
which describes the applicable standards and installation arrangements for metering.

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SECTION 15: BENCHMARKS AND INDICES FOR STANDARDS OF SUPPLY: QUALITY AND
RELIABILITY
15.1 Purpose
15.1.1 The purpose of this Section of the Mini Grid Code is to:
(a) specify the various indices used by LERC and RREA to monitor the performance of the
operations of the Service Provider;
(b) define minimum levels of quality of supply to customers;
(c) define minimum reliability standards and benchmarks for the different levels of service
operations of the Mini Grid system; and
(d) guide Service Providers to design, operate and maintain their systems and equipment to
fit the environment and limitations within which they operate.

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15.1.2 A Service Provider shall monitor and report to RREA and LERC the performance of operations of
the Mini Grid system in terms of –
(a) the quality and reliability of supply; and
AF 15.2
(b)the quality of customer service.

Standards for Power Quality and Reliability

15.2.1 Subject to the Level of Service classification of Mini Grid system operations provided under
section 11.6 of this Code, the quality of power supply in the Mini Grid network for a particular
Level of Service for any period shall be acceptable when all the controlling parameters and
indices stated under section 11.7 are within the limits specified in Technical Schedule TS-A of this
Code.
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15.2.2 The reliability of power supply in the Mini Grid system for any period is considered acceptable
when the total duration of unacceptable quality of supply resulting in interruptions to customers
is maintained within the acceptable limits.

15.2.3 Using the reliability of supply indices defined under section 11.9, a Service Provider shall design
and operate the Mini Grid system to meet the reliability of supply benchmarks established for
unplanned and planned interruptions corresponding to each Level of Service as specified in
Technical Schedule TS-B.

15.3 Reliability of Supply Targets

15.3.1 Subject to section 15.2.3 and in consultation with RREA, the LERC is responsible for setting the
performance targets for indices to be reported on periodically by a Service Provider as part of its
operational performance reporting obligations in accordance with the Customer Service and
Quality of Supply Regulations.

15.3.2 The RREA and LERC shall evaluate the Service Provider’s reliability performance indices annually
against the unique targets set for that year and publish same as performance results.

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15.3.3 A Service Provider must use best endeavors to meet targets required in accordance with the
provisions of the Customer Service and Quality of Supply Regulations and this Code or otherwise
meet reasonable customer expectations of reliability of supply.

SECTION 16: METERING

16.1 Purpose
16.1.1 The purpose of this section of the Code is to establish the minimum standards for metering and
recording the electricity consumption of a customer that purchases power from a Service
Provider.

16.1.2 All electric service supplied by a Service Provider under this Code shall be metered at the point
of connection (PoC) with the consumer’s facility.

16.2 Ownership
16.2.1 Despite section 8.5.2, a Service Provider shall be the sole owner of the revenue meter. Any

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metering installations in the premises of the customer, regardless that equipment is annexed to
the customer’s premises, shall remain the property of the Service Provider.

16.2.2 Provided official identification is produced by the Service Provider’s representatives on request,
AF a customer must always provide to such representatives convenient and unhindered access:
(a) to the Service Provider’s equipment installed on the customer’s premises for any
purposes associated with the supply, metering or billing of electricity; and
(b) to the customer’s electrical installation for the purposes of:
(i) inspection or testing of the customer’s electrical installation in order to assess
whether the customer is complying with this Code;
(ii) connecting, disconnecting or reconnecting supply; or
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(iii)removal of the meter in case the service is no longer required.

16.3 Customer responsibility

16.3.1 A customer must:
(a) not tamper with, or permit tampering with the meter or associated metering equipment
installed by a Service Provider; and
(b) not interfere and must use best endeavors not to allow interference with the Service
Provider’s network including any of the Service Provider’s equipment installed in or on
the customer’s premises.

16.3.2 A customer must provide and maintain on the customer’s premises any reasonable or agreed
facility required by its Service Provider to protect any equipment of the Service Provider.

16.4 Technical Characteristics

Meter Type/Accuracy
16.4.1 The Service Provider shall determine the type of metering system to employ, considering –
(a) the type of customer,
(b) accessibility,

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 (c) economy, and
(d) required features or capabilities.

16.4.2 Despite section 16.4.1, a Service Provider that intends to possibly interconnect later with the
national grid shall use meters that comply with the minimum requirements established in the
Metering Sub-code of the Liberia Electricity Grid Code.

16.4.3 When a Service Provider has no intention of connecting the Mini Grid system later with the
national grid there is no need to follow the metering requirements of the Grid Code, but meters
used must have at least 2% accuracy (i.e maximum allowed error) at full load conforming to the
requirements of IEC accuracy Class 2.

16.4.4 Subject to section 16.4.1, single phase prepayment meter shall be used for residential
customers. Commercial customers may use single-phase prepayment meter or three-phase
meter. Three-phase meters may be AMI (smart meters) or the conventional post-payment
meters.

16.4.5 The accuracy of the various items of measuring equipment shall conform to the relevant IEC

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standard2 (2- IEC 62055-31 Particular Requirements-Static Payment meters for Active Energy (Cl 1 & 2).
16.5 Meter Installation/Reading/Testing
Customer Access & Installation
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16.5.1 A Service Provider’s meter installer shall, after providing official identification, gain access to a
customer’s premises to install the meter in an accessible location. There must be no splices,
connections, or customer-accessible enclosure between the point of service (or service draw
point) and the meter.

16.5.2 The customer shall guarantee access to the premises to a Service Provider’s representative,
subject to official identification, for any purpose associated with the supply, metering services
including meter reading, or billing of electricity.
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16.5.3 The customer shall inform the Service Provider whenever there is a change in the premises that
affects access to the meter.

16.5.4 The meter may be enclosed in a cabinet or otherwise installed in a manner that shall conform to
the manufacturer’s stated environmental conditions.

16.5.5 The installation shall provide protection from moisture and dust ingress and from physical
damage, including vibration. In addition, the cabinet or Meter must be sealed to prevent
unauthorized access.

Meter Sealing
16.5.6 The Service Provider shall install a seal to protect the meter from tampering. The Service
Provider will track the seal number in a database to control when the seal needs to be replaced
for the meter’s calibration, resets, or any other purpose. If a seal is found broken, an
investigation must be initiated to determine responsibility.

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Meter Testing
16.5.7 Upon request from a customer, the Service Provider shall provide a meter testing service
free-of-charge once a year. Any additional meter test request in a year shall be done at the
customer’s expense.

16.6 Metering Data

16.6.1 A Service Provider shall keep metering data (preferably in a central database) and use
reasonable measures to protect and preserve the confidential nature of the metering data.

16.6.2 The Service Provider shall not permit any unauthorized third party to have access to the
metering data with the exception of RREA and the LERC, upon request.

16.6.3 Despite section 16.6.2, an official metering data of a customer must be made available by the
Service Provider upon request by the customer in a format agreed on by the parties. The Service
Provider may levy a charge for the provision of that data and that levy/charge shall relate to the
cost of providing the data.

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SECTION 17: INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND REPORTING
17.1 Purpose and Scope
17.1.1 The Service Provider has an obligation to ensure that the Mini Grid system is operated in a
reliable and secure manner. To achieve this, a Service Provider needs to identify information it
has to provide to or requires from its customers or any other service provider connected to the
Mini Grid for the maintenance of system security.

17.1.2 This section specifies some guidelines for cooperation in the exchange of data and information
to enable Service Providers and customers carry out their obligations in a sound business
environment.

17.1.3 This section also establishes the monitoring framework and reporting guidelines for Service
Providers to get them to remain accountable for their performance in the delivery of services to

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customers.

17.2 General Principles for Implementation of Information and Data Exchange

17.2.1 A Service Provider shall educate its customers on the Service Provider’s rights and obligations as
AF well as the rights and obligations of customers relating to established Conditions of Service and
in accordance with the expected Level of Service to be provided.

17.2.2 Where the Mini Grid is interconnected with another distribution network both service providers
shall keep readily available, complete, and accurate records of all data required for the proper
administration of the Mini Grid Code.

17.2.3 Service Providers will provide open and timely exchange of relevant information to facilitate the
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secure and reliable operation of their networks or systems.

17.2.4 The information exchanged between the Service Providers may be either confidential (bilateral)
information or public information intended for all parties. The provider of the information shall
indicate whether the information being provided should be considered confidential or public.

17.2.5 Service Providers shall make available critical data to each other to allow for rational and
informed decisions to be made regarding their respective operations.

17.2.6 In the case of electronic data sharing, access to the system or network information shall be
provided on read-only basis.

17.3 Planning Information

17.3.1 A Service Provider that has its Mini Grid system connected to another network or system shall
provide on a regular basis such information as may be reasonably required by that other Service
Provider for the purposes of planning and development to meet statutory or regulatory
obligations.

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17.3.2 The Planning Information to be provided shall be as specified in Section 7 of this Mini Grid Code
and any other information which may from time to time be required.

17.3.3 The Service Provider shall keep an updated technical database of its Mini Grid system for
purposes of system technical studies to support the National Electrification Master Plan (NEMP).

17.4 Network/System Information Exchange

17.4.1 Customers or any other service provider connected to the Mini Grid must exchange information
with the Service Provider within an agreed lead time on all operations on their (customer)
installations which may have an adverse effect on the Mini Grid system including any planned
activities such as plant shutdown or scheduled maintenance.

17.4.2 A Service Provider shall communicate network/system information as required to customers for
safe and reliable operation of customer plant and equipment as may be required.

17.4.3 The network information exchange may be both electronic and paper based and within an

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agreed time frame.

17.4.4 The necessary communication facilities and procedures shall be established between the parties
to allow for the timely transfer of information.
AF 17.5 Time Standard
The time standard used shall be the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) Standard and every time
information shall be referenced to it. To maintain synchronization, it is recommended that each Mini Grid
system node shall be provided with a connection to GPS satellite receivers that enable all relevant
devices to maintain time synchronization.
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17.6 Data Retention and Archiving
17.6.1 A Service Provider shall maintain sufficient records to support audit and verification
requirements and to support monitoring of compliance with the provisions of the Mini Grid
Code. The Service Provider shall also maintain necessary data and records, in sufficient detail, to
support event diagnostics and trouble shooting.

17.6.2 A Service Provider shall maintain a complete and accurate record of all Operational Data
supplied or maintained under this Code for a period of at least three years from the date the
Operational Data was first supplied or created.

17.6.3 An audit trail of all changes made to archived data must:

(a) be maintained;
(b)identify every change made and the time and date of the change; and
(c) include both pre and post values of all content and structure changes.

17.6.4 The RREA or LERC may at any time audit the data retention and archiving systems of a Service
Provider.

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 17.7 Mini Grid Performance Data Reporting
17.7.1 Subject to the election of roles under sections 4.4 and 4.5 of this Code, the following Mini Grid
system Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and operational information shall be made available by
the Service Provider to RREA and LERC in the format/template presented in Appendix A:
(a) Daily:
(i) Daily record of power and energy produced by each mini grid generating facility;
(ii) Hourly actual demand of the previous day in kW;
(iii) Reserve amounts during the morning and evening peaks of the previous day in
kW
(b) Monthly:
(i) Average number of service hours delivered;
(ii) Energy balance indicating total generation, energy available for sale and losses;
(iii)Generating plant Availability;
(iv)Number and total duration of frequency excursions outside the statutory limits
and proportion resulting in customer interruptions;

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(v) Number and total duration of voltage excursions outside statutory limits and
proportion resulting in customer interruptions;
(vi)Outage time at each mini grid network node.
(c) Quarterly and Annually:
AF (i) Number of active customers by class or groupings;
(ii) Annual energy balance for the period;
(iii)Annual peak demand in MW during the period, date and time;
(iv)Annual minimum demand in MW during the period, date and time; and
(v) Values of SAIFIxx , SAIDIxx, P-SAIFIxx and P-SAIDIxx recorded during period.

17.7.2 A Service Provider shall publish each month a report on the performance of the Mini Grid system
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for the previous month, including a report on Significant Incidents and operating conditions of
the Mini Grid system.

17.7.3 RREA shall review and analyze the performance records and other submissions received from
the Service Provider and submit a report on the performance of the mini grid system with any
recommendations to the LERC quarterly and annually.

17.8 Events Reporting

17.8.1 In the case of a Significant Incident, which has been notified by the Service Provider, a customer
or other third party, the Service Provider shall investigate and submit a written report to RREA
and LERC.

17.8.2 The reports referred to in section 17.8.1 shall, where applicable, include at least the following:
(a) time and date of Significant Incident;
(b) the location;
(c) plant and/or equipment involved;
(d) brief description of the Significant Incident;
(e) estimated time and date of return to service;

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 (f) supplies/generation interrupted and duration of interruption;
(g) generating unit – frequency response achieved;
(i) any other information that the Service Provider reasonably considers may be required in
relation to the Significant Incident

17.9 Significant Incident

17.9.1 Every case where either or a combination of the following happens shall be treated as a
Significant incident:
(a) malfunctioning of Equipment, Apparatus connected to the Mini Grid;
(b) a person, or animal receives an electric shock, whether mild or serious or suffers an
injury or burn, directly or indirectly due to electrical causes.

17.9.2 The personnel of the Service Provider in charge of the concerned Equipment, Apparatus or area
shall report the incident immediately to the highest responsible officer of the Service Provider in
charge within 12 hours. A designated officer from the affected Service Provider should reach the
spot within 24 hours and assess the situation and probable cause of the accident, losses to

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consumers, and damage to Equipment, Apparatus of the Mini Grid system or customer’s
AF appliance.
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SECTION 18: COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
18.1 Complaints Handling Process
18.1.1 The Service Provider's Customer Charter must include information on its complaint handling
processes which must be in accordance with the LERC’s Complaints Handling Guidelines and the
Customer Service and Quality of Supply Regulations.

18.1.2 When a Service Provider responds to a customer's complaint, the Service Provider must inform
the customer that the customer has a right to appeal to RREA or the LERC if not satisfied with
the Service Provider’s remedy.

18.1.3 A Service Provider must include information about the LERC disconnection procedures including
any disconnection warning issued by the Service Provider.

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AF
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SECTION 19: BREACH OF THE MINI GRID CODE

19.1 Service Provider’s Obligation to Remedy
If a Service Provider breaches this Code, it must remedy that breach as soon as practicable.

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 19.2 Notification of Non-compliance
19.2.1 If a Service Provider becomes aware of its failure to comply with any obligation under the Code,
which can reasonably be expected to have a material, adverse impact on a customer, it must:
(a) notify the customer likely to be adversely affected by the non-compliance within 5
business days;
(b) undertake an investigation of the non-compliance as soon as practicable but in any
event within 20 business days; and
(c) advise the customer of the steps it is taking to comply.

19.2.2 If a Service Provider becomes aware of a breach of this Code by a customer or any other service
provider connected to the Mini Grid system, which is not of a trivial nature, the Service Provider
must notify the customer or the other service providers, in writing and as far as possible using
plain English, of:
(a) details of the non-compliance and its implications, including any impact on the system;
(b) actions that should be taken to remedy the non-compliance;

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(c) a reasonable time in which compliance must be demonstrated;
(d) any consequences of non-compliance; and
AF (e) the Service Provider’s procedure for handling complaints.

19.3 Customer’s Obligation to Remedy

A customer must use best endeavors to remedy any non-compliance with this Mini Grid Code within the
time specified in any notice of non-compliance sent by a Service Provider or face disconnection of the
services for non-compliance as provided under section 13.9 of the Code.
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PART E: DEFINITIONS
In this Code:

-10% Means 0.90 times the relevant voltage

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+5% … Means 1.05 times the relevant voltage
+50% … Means 1.5 times the relevant voltage
-100%.……… Means 0 Volts
+20%.......... Means 1.2 times the relevant voltage
+80%.......... Means 1.8 times the relevant voltage
Accident… Means any unplanned event that results in damage to property, the natural
environment or affect the distribution network operation’s relationship with the
community,
Active Energy Means a measure of electrical energy flow, being the time integral of the product
of voltage and the in-phase component of current flow across a connection point,
expressed in Watthours and multiples thereof (Units: Wh, kWh, MWh):

Active Power Means the rate at which active energy is transferred. (Units: W, kW, MW)
Ancillary Service Means a service required for the secure operation of an electricity system

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including frequency regulation, voltage support, provision of reserve plant and
black start
Apparent Power Means the square root of the sum of the squares of the active power and the
reactive power
AF
Black Start

Business Day
Complaint
Means the process of restoring the power system after a total or partial failure
and where no external electricity supply is available
Means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, or a Public Holiday
Means a written or verbal expression of dissatisfaction about –
(a) an action,
(b) a proposed action,
(c) a failure to act or
(d) a failure to observe published practices or procedures,
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by –
(i) a Service Provider,
(ii) its employees or
(iii) contractors.

Confidential Information Means any information about a customer or information provided to the Service
Provider under an obligation of confidence
Connect Means the making and maintaining of contact between two electrical systems
allowing for the supply of electricity between the two systems and reconnect has
a corresponding meaning
Connection Point In relation to a customer, means the point at which the customer’s wiring and the
Service Provider’s network are connected; or In relation to another service
provider, means the point at which the networks or systems of both service
providers are interconnected
Customer Means a person whose electrical installation is connected to the Service Provider’s
network or who may want to have its electrical installation connected to the

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 Service Provider’s network or Mini Grid system, and includes an embedded
generator
Customer Charter Means a code of practice instituted to improve access to an organization’s services
and to promote quality by telling the customer the levels and standards of service
to expect and what to do if something goes wrong
Demand Means the active power or apparent power (expressed in kW and kVAr) consumed
by a customer in respect of an electrical installation integrated over a fifteen or
thirty-minute period
Earthing Means the process of providing a connection between a conductor and ground
using the approved device.
Electrical Installation Means any electrical equipment at a customer’s site that is connected to, but not
part of, a Mini Grid system
Emergency Means an actual or imminent occurrence of an event which in any way endangers
or threatens to endanger the safety or health of any person or which destroys or
damages, or threatens to destroy or damage any property
Emergency Response Plan Means a comprehensive document that plans for probable emergencies which
involves Mini Grid system employees, contractors, properties, plants and

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equipment and prescribes appropriate response or actions
Energize
Energy Means active and reactive electrical energy
AF
Event

Feeder
Means an unscheduled or unplanned (although may be anticipated) occurrence
on a system including, without limiting that general description to, faults,
incidents and breakdowns
Means an electric line and associated equipment at a normal voltage supply level
(33kV & below) which a Service Provider uses for bulk electricity supply
Force Majeure Event Means an event outside the reasonable control of a Service provider or a
customer, as the case may be
Frequency Variation Means a departure of the actual system frequency from the nominal value of
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system frequency
Generating Unit Means a single set of apparatus that generates electricity
Generation Means activities pertaining to a generator including the production of electricity
and its delivery to the electricity system
Generator Means a person or company who engages in the activity of owning, controlling, or
operating generating units and who generates electricity under a License
Good utility practice
Incident Means any unplanned event that has the potential to damage property, the
natural environment or affect the Mini Grid system operations
Interruption Means the temporary unavailability of supply from the Mini Grid network to a
customer, but does not include disconnection
Isolation Means the process of achieving electrical separation of a conductor (or supply
apparatus) from the remainder of the system
Load Means a customer’s demand for electricity at a supply point

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Metering Installation Means the equipment required for measuring the flow of active or reactive power
or energy located between the metering point and the point of connection to the
consumer’s system
Metering Code Means the set of requirements made up of standards, procedures and guidelines
for metrology applicable to a particular customer
Mini Grid System Means a small electricity supply system with its own power generation capacity or
source of supply, supplying electricity to customers and can operate in isolation
(Isolated Mini Grid) from or be connected to a distribution or transmission
network (Interconnected Mini Grid)
Network Means the electrical sub-transmission and/or distribution system
Non-technical Losses Means losses that occur due to unidentified, misallocated or inaccurate energy
flows or can be thought of as electricity that is consumed but not billed
Official Identification Means document issued by the Service Provider that identifies its employee,
workmen or agents as authentic representative of the Service Provider.
Outage Means interruption resulting from the planned or unplanned removal of an item
of plant and/or apparatus from service availability
Point of Connection (PoC) Same as “Connection Point”

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Power Factor Means the ratio of active power to apparent power
Power System Means the whole of the infrastructure of electricity systems, generators and other
users connected to the system.
AF
Public Holiday
Quality Of Supply

Reactive Energy

Reactive Power
Means a public holiday appointed
Means the measure of the ability of the Mini Grid system to provide supply that
meets the voltage quality requirements of this Code
Means the time integral of the product of voltage and the out-of-phase
component of current flow
Means the rate at which reactive energy is supplied
Reliability Of Supply Means the measure of the ability of the Mini Grid system to provide supply to
customers
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Rural Area Means an area supplied electricity by an electric line which:
(a) forms part of a distribution system; and
(b) is a single feeder the length of which measured from the relevant zone
substation is at least 15 km
Safety Management Means the process of ensuring that the HV system is in a state so that it is safe for
personnel to carry out work and/or testing
Safety Rules Means Service Provider’s mandatory rules that seek to ensure that persons
working on plant and/or apparatus to which the rules apply are safeguarded from
hazards arising from the system

Service Provider Means a legal entity registered and licensed/permitted to generate and sell, or
buy, distribute and supply electricity to customers. A Service Provider. in this
context, could refer to the ‘Developer’ or ‘Operator’ as used in RREA Act.
Supply Means the delivery of electricity
Supply Address Means the address where the customer is being supplied with electricity
System Means the network for Mini Grid generation, distribution and supply of electricity
in Liberia

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System losses Means total losses in the Mini Grid system comprising Technical and non-technical
losses
Technical losses Means losses due to energy dissipated in conductors, equipment used for the
distribution system and including magnetic losses in transformers.
Total Harmonic Distortion Means the ratio of the root-mean-square of the harmonic content to the
(THD) root-mean-square of the fundamental quantity, expressed as a percent of the
fundamental
Tor steel Means cold-worked low-compound prepares that are utilized for fortifying
cement
Unauthorized energy use Means using electricity that was illegally obtained or a legally obtained
service that is not used for the required purpose or used in a manner that
interferes with the supply of other customers.

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AF
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TECHNICAL SCHEDULES

Standard/ BASE Level of STANDARD Level of HIGH Level of

Description
Category Service Service Service

AC Mini Grid Power Condition BENCHMARK

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 Nominal Voltage 230V (1-Ph) 230V (1-Ph ) 230V (1-Ph)
Low Voltage
415V (3-Ph) 415V (3-Ph) 415V (3-Ph)
(Vnominal ) Medium Voltage ≤33kV 1≤33kV ≤33kV
Steady state Voltage Variation ±10% +5%/-10% +5%/-10%
Phase to Earth:
+50% to 100%
Surge protection Surge protection
Transients No protection required
required required
Phase to Phase:
+20% to 100&
Short duration voltage 1.1Vn<V<0.9Vn
<5/day <1/day <1/week
variation for < 1 minute
Long duration voltage 1.1Vn<V<0.9Vn
<10/day <5/day <1/week
variation for > 1 minute
Only in 3-ph
Voltage Imbalance < 10% < 5% < 2%
systems
50 +4%/-6% 50 +4%/-4% 50 +2%/-2%
Frequency variation
(47-52Hz) (48-52Hz) (49-51Hz)
Harmonic Distortion Total Harmonic
≤10% ≤ 8% ≤5%

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Limits Distortion (THD)
DC Mini Grid Power Condition BENCHMARK
Nominal Voltage ≤48V ≤48V ≤48V
<10% (within 30% of <5% (Within 20% of <2% (Within 10% of
Resistive voltage drop
AF
Short voltage
variation
Long voltage variation
1.1Vn<V<0.9Vn
for < 1 minute
1.1Vn<V<0.9Vn
for > 1 minute
Maximum Allowed Percent ripple
(peak-to-peak)
sending end voltage)
<5/day

<5/day

50% pk-pk (Rec 20%)

sending end voltage)
<2/day

<2/day

20% pk-pk (Rec 10%)

sending end voltage)
<1/day

<1/day
10% pk-pk
(Rec 5%)
Transient noise Transient & ripple
DC ripple & switching noise Unfiltered
minimized noises minimized
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Surge protection Surge protection
Transients No protection
required required
Faults allowed / day 5 2 1
TECHNICAL SCHEDULE TS-A: QUALITY OF SUPPLY STANDARDS/BENCHMARKS

TECHNICAL SCHEDULE TS-B: RELIABILITY OF SUPPLY STANDARDS/BENCHMARKS

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 Benchmark (by Levels of Service)
Interruptions (Assuming
24hr-service) BASE Level of STANDARD Level of HIGH Level of
Service Service Service
Unplanned-SAIFI24 <52 per year <12 per year <2 per year

<876 hours per year <438 hours per year <1.5 hours per year
Unplanned-SAIDI24
(90% reliability) (95% reliability) (99.9% reliability)

No requirement (but No requirement (but <2 per year

Planned-SAIFI24
should be defined) should be defined)

No requirement (but No requirement (but <30 minutes per

Planned-SAIDI24 should be defined) should be defined) year (100%
reliability)
SAIFI and SAIDI are typically assumed for power systems that are specified to provide full time, 24 hours/day of energy service. A subscript
is used in this report for systems that provide partial hours/day service since the number of planned and unplanned interruptions and
length of any interruptions should be normalized by the percent of hours of service.

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AF
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APPENDIX A: PERFORMANCE REPORTING INDICATORS TEMPLATE

1. Technical Performance Reporting Template
Current Previous Regulatory
Performance Indicator
recorded achieved Benchmark
1. Power Production

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 Solar PV generation (kWh)
Diesel Generation (kWh)
Diesel fuel consumption (for generation) in litres
2. Power quality

Voltage surveys for small system

Renewable energy contribution (kWh)
3. Cost of production per unit sales

Energy production (kWh)/Energy sales ($/kWh)

4. Power availability

Duration of daily service

Hours per day electricity provided daily
Percent of days service provided below contracted value
Percent of days service provided above contracted value
Average number of hours of service provided during the day
(6 a.m./6 p.m.)

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Average number of hours of service provided during the
evening (6 p.m./12 p.m.)
5. Efficiency
AF
System losses (energy sales (kWh)/energy production (kWh))
Battery efficiency (%)
Diesel system efficiency (kWh/liter)
6. Unplanned power outages (adjusted to reflect average
hours of service per day)

Number of unplanned service events

System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI)
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System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDIXX)
Planned power outages (adjusted to reflect average hours of
service per day)
Number of planned service events
Planned System Average Interruption Frequency Index
(P-SAIFI)
Planned System Average Interruption Duration Index
(P-SAIDIXX)
7. Operation, maintenance, and safety

Number of O&M events with short description of event and

root-cause analysis
Number of public or worker safety events with short
description of event and root-cause analysis

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2. Commercial Performance Reporting Template
Current Previous Regulatory
Performance Indicator
recorded achieved Benchmark
1. Customers by level of service (Tier 2, 3,4,5)

New services connected

Services retired
Total services in place
2. Customers by sector (residential, government,
commercial)

New services connected

Services retired
Total services in place
3. Payment collection rate

% of customers current on payments by level of service

% of customers that are more than 6 months behind by level

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of service
% of customers current on payments by sector
% of customers that are more than 6 months behind by sector
AF
Number & % of customers in community electrified with
electrical service that meets power quality requirements by
sector
Percent (%) of load by sector
4. Total service interruptions

Power supplier
Extreme weather condition
Prearranged
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All other
5. Number and nature of service calls and complaints

6. Safety issues and workplace injuries

7. Total number of customers

8. Total kWh sold

9. Other electric revenue

10. Total kWh purchased (If any)

11. Total kWh generated

12. Cost of purchases and generation

13. Revenues by sector (residential, government, commercial)

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14. Revenues by level of service

15. Average revenues from power sales ($/kWh)

16. Average cost of power ($/kWh) by segment

Generation (fuel, maintenance)

Distribution
Service (office support, insurance)
17. Total cost of electric service

18. Expected capacity to sell

Minimum
Maximum
Current Previous Regulatory
Performance Indicator
recorded achieved Benchmark
19. Annual electricity production during the calendar year

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(January 1 to December 31)

20. Annual electricity sales during the calendar year (January

1 to December 31)
AF
Amount of electricity sold to retail customers
Amount of electricity sold to distribution network operators (if
applicable)
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 T
Appendix B :Customer Service Agreement Template (General)
1. heading/title <Customer supply and sale contract>
2. description/purpose/the service (basically the product/service description) <to supply and sale
AFof electricity to premises of the customer in according to terms and conditions specified
hereunder>
3. parties <specify the supplier and customer - including addresses>
4. date <state date of the agreement>
5. territory/geographical coverage <operational jurisdiction of the permit>
6. term - period of agreement
7. responsibilities of provider - include or append details of services
- receipt & processing of customer application for connection to the supply
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- inspection of premises to ascertain of quality of wiring prior to connection;
- connection of the premises to supply upon receipt of statutory fees;
- provision of safe, reliable and quality supply to a subscribed level of service; and
- specify metering & billing procedures and cycle
8. responsibilities of client
- ensuring safety in the use of electricity within premises
- safeguard and prevent tampering of supplier’s installed equipment
- timely payment of bills and charges
- submit to established procedures for addressing complaints & dispute resolution
9. electricity tariff, rates & charges (refer if appropriate to attached schedule)
10. payment terms
- specify mode of payment for services (pre-paid or post-paid)
- specify allowed period for bill payment (if post-paid)
- late or defaulting payment actions/procedures (e.g., warning, disconnection etc.)
11. customer complaints procedure, dispute and arbitration process
- reporting complaints to specified address/contact in established format
- following through the established procedure for addressing complaints internally;

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- discretion to pursue alternative dispute resolution mechanism, if not satisfied.

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AF
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