Generation Operator

A generator operator (GOP) is the entity that operates generating unit(s) and performs the functions of supplying energy and interconnected operations services.

GOP must operate generation facilities according to the criteria listed below:

• An individual generating unit > 20 MVA (gross nameplate rating) directly connected to the bulk power system (BPS), or;
• A generating plant/facility > 75 MVA (gross aggregate nameplate rating), or any facility consisting of one or more units that are connected to the BPS at a common bus with total generation above 75 MVA (gross nameplate rating), or;
• Any generator, regardless of size, that is a black start unit material to and designated as part of a transmission operator entity’s restoration plan, or;
• Any generator, regardless of size, that is material to the reliability of the BPS.

For more information about registration criteria, refer to NERC’s Statement of Compliance Registry Criteria, found on the Compliance Registry page.

Exclusions: A GO or generator operator will not be registered based on these criteria if responsibilities for compliance with approved NERC Reliability Standards or associated requirements including reporting have been transferred by written agreement to another entity that has registered for the appropriate function for the transferred responsibilities, such as a load-serving entity, generation-and-transmission cooperative, or joint action agency as described in Sections 501 and 507 of the NERC Rules of Procedure (found on the Compliance Registry page). See NERC Joint Registration Organizations for more on such agreements.

As a general matter, a customer-owned or -operated generator/generation that serves all or part of retail load with electric energy on the customer’s side of the retail meter may be excluded as a candidate for registration based on these criteria if (1) the net capacity provided to the BPS does not exceed the criteria above or Texas Reliability Entity, Inc. otherwise determines the generator is not material to the BPS and (2) standby, back-up, and maintenance power services are provided to the generator or to the retail load pursuant to a binding obligation with another generator owner/operator or under terms approved by the local regulatory authority or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as applicable.