Compliance Reviews and Audits

NPCC conducted two audits on the IESO in 2009. The first audit took place in October and it reviewed the IESO’s documentation that attested compliance with requirements 1 to 4 of NERC standard CIP-001-1. The second audit, conducted on site between November 17 and November 19, 2009, performed a comprehensive review of the IESO’s compliance with a subset of 13 requirements of NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards CIP-002 to CIP-009.

Both audits found the IESO in full compliance with the audited requirements. This means not only that the IESO has adequately developed and implemented the required processes, policies and procedures but also it has successfully provided evidence that these policies and procedures are routinely applied in accordance with the requirements of the CIP standards. Commenting on the IESO’s contribution throughout the audit process, the audit team noted that the IESO has provided exceptional documentation and has demonstrated flexibility and cooperation. In addition, NPCC praised the subject matter experts present throughout the process for their time, openness and expertise.

• NPCC Compliance Audit Report of Ontario's IESO (November 17 to November 19, 2009)

Between June 17th and July 14th, 2008, the NPCC conducted an on-site compliance audit of the IESO. The audit team evaluated and found Ontario's Independent Electricity System in full compliance with 38 key electricity reliability standards and 168 reliability requirements monitored by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). The audit team also noted that "the IESO takes compliance very seriously and understands the overall goal of the compliance program; namely to strive for a more reliable interconnected bulk power system".

• NPCC Compliance Audit Report of Ontario's IESO (June 17 to July 14, 2008)

In November, 2007, the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) with delegated authority from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) completed an audit of the IESO for compliance with four key transmission planning reliability standards.

The audit findings demonstrate "the IESO has the appropriate resources, procedures and processes in place to support effective coordination of all planning requirements and implementation of plans with other industry players." The audit found the IESO fully compliant with the four electricity reliability standards.

• NPCC Compliance Audit Report of Ontario's IESO (November 2007)

In May 2005, the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) completed a compliance assessment of criteria and standards where the IESO has reporting obligations. The Review Team found the IESO "to have all documentation that supports and demonstrates full compliance of the Ontario Area with respect to all eight of the RCEP requirements."

• NPCC Ontario Area Compliance Review (May 3-4, 2005)

In April 2004 and again in October 2006, the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) prepared a review of the readiness of the IESO (then "IMO") to meet its responsibilities as a Reliability Coordinator, Balancing Authority and Transmission Operator for Ontario (formerly control area operator) citing several potential examples of excellence and offered recommendations for follow-up action. Overall, the NERC Reliability Readiness Audit found the IESO has the necessary systems, tools, processes and personnel to operate its area.

• NERC 2006 Reliability Readiness Audit Report (October 2006)
• NERC Control Area Readiness Audit Report (April 2004)