The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has deferred its decision on eight proposed power supply agreements (PSAs) which have pending environmental compliance certificates (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The power regulator resolved to hold in abeyance the processing of applications for approval of PSAs following the DENR’s request in view of…
Month: September 2016
Systems loss pass-on charge to be reviewed
THE ENERGY Regulatory Commission (ERC) is looking at reviewing the power systems loss that is billed consumers amid calls to bring down electricity costs, an official of the agency said. “Probably this is the right time to bring it down with the clamor to reduce power cost,” ERC Commissioner Alfredo J. Non said on Thursday…
ERC seeks to settle row with Meralco over retail power supply scheme
THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has talked to Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to try to settle their differing views on the rules covering retail competition and open access (RCOA), some parts of which are on hold after the distribution utility sought and obtained a court injunction. An ERC official said the initial talks did not result…
ERC, PCC to work together in power price-fixing crackdown
THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is looking into a possible arrangement with the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) that will allow the two agencies to work together in a crackdown on anti-competitive behavior across the energy sector, an official said. The issue over the two agencies’ jurisdiction came up amid allegations that power generation companies breached…
Energy mix need not leave out nuke power — former Energy chief
NUCLEAR power will be a “good part” of the country’s energy mix, but issues need to be resolved on how it can work in a deregulated environment, a former Energy secretary said. “On a general principle, nuclear power — take away public acceptance — as a technology, in terms of supporting your supply, is a…
Trans-Asia plans expansion of Guimaras wind farm
TRANS-ASIA Renewable Energy Corp. (TAREC) plans to expand its wind farm project on Guimaras Island by 40 megawatts (MW) as soon as the Energy department releases a new installation target for wind energy, a company official said. “We have an expansion within Guimaras,” Danilo L. Panes, TAREC vice-president, told reporters on Friday as the company…
Marikina school gets new solar PV system
GREEN Heat Corp. has added another school among the list of entities that have sought its services for the installation of a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system, the renewable energy company said. In a statement, the local solar power installer said it had put up a solar PV system on top of two buildings inside…
Roxas Holdings says bioethanol plant operations halted
Roxas Holdings Inc. said Wednesday local executives suspended operations of its bioethanol plant in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental province due to alleged foul smell coming from the facility. The company told the stock exchange that the 30-day cease and desist order could be lifted “any time” once there is a “substantial mitigation” of the…
Hong Kong’s CLP eyes power investment in Philippines
CLP Holdings of Hong Kong is considering investing in the Philippines power sector, hoping to tap robust demand in one of Asias fastest growing economies, its chairman said Wednesday. It will be the companys second attempt to enter the countrys energy industry after a failed bid in the past, Sir Michael Kadoorie said in a…
ERC may continue probe till next year of 12 gencos that raised power rates in Dec. 2013
THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) may not finish this year the probe involving 12 generation companies (gencos) found to have engaged in anticompetitive behavior that led to record-high increases in power rates in December 2013. “Mahihirapan siguro,” ERC Commissioner Alfredo Non said. “We can start the hearings in October. The decision, however, I don’t know…
DOE eyes creation of ‘energy city’
The Department of Energy plans to create an “energy city” in Batangas to be composed of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. This will serve as a back up plan to whatever may happen with the Malampaya deepwater-to-gas project off Palawan. Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said on the sidelines of a Senate hearing Tuesday that…
Electricity rates go down in September
Meralco announced that the residential rate for a typical household will go down this September by around PhP0.0451 per kilowatthour (kWh), thereby bringing it down to PhP8.46 per kWh. This translates to a reduction of around PhP9 in the electricity bill of a household with monthly consumption of 200 kWh. The reduction is due to the downward movement in the transmission charge,…
Winnergy Holdings Corp. 