Centralized Capacity Information Map (CCIM)

Centralized Capacity Information Map (CCIM):

The Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) Centralized Capacity Information Map (CCIM) provides detailed province-wide information about load and distributed energy resources (DERs) electrical grid capacity.

Viewing the Centralized Capacity Information Map:

The Centralized Capacity Information Map (CCIM) is hosted on the OEB’s website and can be accessed by:

https://www.oeb.ca/ontarios-energy-sector/centralized-capacity-information-map

Summary:

• The CCIM is an online tool created by the OEB to give users a high-level view of where available capacity exists on Ontario’s electricity distribution systems.
• The CCIM displays data about Ontario’s electrical grid capacity for both load and DER hosting connections to help support the delivery of affordable, secure reliable and clean energy that enables economic growth across the province.
• The CCIM consists of two interactive environments:

1. Available Load Capacity: To provide awareness of potential connection points for additional load, such as housing, commercial or industrial sites.
2. Available DER Hosting Capacity: To provide awareness of potential connection points for small-scale power generating installations or energy sources.

Important:

The CCIM is intended for preliminary screening only and does not replace any formal connection impact assessment process required by electricity distributors.

About the Centralized Capacity Information Map (CCIM):

1. What is the CCIM?

The CCIM is an online tool created by the OEB to give users a high-level view of where there’s available capacity on Ontario’s electricity distribution systems. In simple terms, it helps users see two main things:

1. Available load capacity: The ability to serve new or expanded electricity demand.
2. Available hosting capacity for DERs: The ability to connect new projects like solar panels, wind turbines, or battery storage.

2. What is the intended use of the CCIM?

The CCIM is a planning aid, designed for early-stage screening. Users can use the tool to quickly check which areas might be suitable for their project before contacting a distributor. The map shows capacity in broad ranges and reflects system conditions at the time distributors submitted their data. It’s not a substitute for detailed assessments, as conditions can change and every project has unique requirements.

3. What is the difference between the available load capacity and the available DER hosting capacity map environments?

The Available Load Capacity map environment shows areas of the electricity distribution system that can accommodate new customer loads—such as housing developments, commercial buildings, or industrial facilities—without requiring major system upgrades. This helps businesses and developers identify locations where connecting new demand is likely to be simpler and faster.

The Available DER Hosting Capacity map environment focuses on the ability of the grid to integrate DERs like solar panels, battery storage or other generation facilities. It highlights where the system is expected to be able to host additional generation without causing reliability or safety issues. Data is provided for a range of typical project types, such as inverter- or non-inverter based installations, as well as for projects designed only to displace a customer’s load rather than inject power.

Both map environments are intended for preliminary screening only and do not replace any formal connection application or Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) process. They provide early insights to help users plan projects and reduce uncertainty before engaging in detailed engineering studies.

4. Where can users find detailed instructions on how to use the CCIM?

For step-by-step instructions on how to use the CCIM, as well as explanations of the most used tools used in the map, refer users to the CCIM User Guide.

To access the User Guide from the CCIM, click Menu in the top right corner of the page and select the Download User Guide option from the drop-down list. The CCIM User Guide opens in a new tab.

5. What level of information does the CCIM provide?

The CCIM gives users a quick snapshot of system conditions based on the latest data from distributors. It shows capacity in broad ranges so they can get a sense of how complex a connection might be before reaching out to a distributor.

The CCIM is meant to give users a starting point for planning. It is not a substitute for working with distributors. The map shows system conditions at a specific moment, and those conditions can change. That’s why we stress the importance of connecting with distributors early.

6. What is the source of the CCIM’s data?

The CCIM brings together capacity data submitted by Ontario’s licensed electricity distributors, in accordance with standardized reporting requirements established by the OEB. While the reporting is standardized, each distributor calculates available capacity using methodologies appropriate to their specific system characteristics, operating practices, and planning criteria.

7. Why are some areas on the map not displaying data?

In some instances, data may be unavailable if:

• The electrical information within the area is below 4.16kV,
• There are no electrical assets nearby,
• Users have not zoomed in at a level needed to display detailed information,
• Information on certain electricity system assets is not disclosed for privacy or security reasons or
• Data for the area has not been integrated into the CCIM yet.