Winnergy Holdings Corp.

BMI: Renewables see increasing gov’t support, investor interest

POWER CAPACITY provided by renewable energy is expected to hit 5.4 gigawatts (GW) in 2026, making the Philippines one of the “outperformers” in the region, BMI Research said. “Increasing investor interest in the [Philippine] renewables sector, supportive government policy and renewed efforts to channel investment into grid infrastructure underpin our constructive growth forecasts for non-hydropower…

Commissioner says TransCo bid for grid link beyond ERC’s scope

NATIONAL Transmission Corp.’s (TransCo) proposal to supervise the Visayas-Mindanao interconnection project is beyond the scope of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and should be discussed by the state-led agency with the power system operator, an ERC commissioner said. “[On the supervision over the project], maybe that’s something that they have to take up with NGCP…

ERC expects decision this year on 3 out of 7 Meralco PSAs

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is hopeful to come out with a decision on three out of seven power supply agreements (PSAs) of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) by year-end. In a forum yesterday, ERC commissioner Josefina Magpale-Asirit said the power regulator is looking to issue a decision on three Meralco PSAs with Redondo Peninsula Energy…

Senate to review market share limitations among power gencos

The Senate committee on energy wants to review the market share limitation under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) to reflect the true state and foster competition in the power generation industry, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said. During the executive seminar on fostering dynamic competition in the Philippine power industry, Gatchalian said the…

Meralco eyes additional solar power supply

After closing three solar power supply deals, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is looking to add 50 to 100 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity to meet the renewable energy requirements of its franchise area. Meralco president Oscar Reyes said the company has received at least 10 offers to supply solar energy to the power distributor. “We’ll…

ERC approves NGCP’s P6.86-B Mindanao transmission backbone

POWER system operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) will be building a new transmission backbone to carry added power capacity in Mindanao at a cost of P6.86 billion, details of the decision released by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) show. “A perusal of the evidence presented herein showed that NGCP’s application for the…

First Gen restores quake-hit Batangas facility

First Gen Corp said Wednesday it restored one of two facilities that connect its natural gas plants to the national grid, less than two weeks after the Batangas earthquake. Unit 60 of the San Lorenzo Switchyard was “resynchronized to the grid and has resumed operations” while Unit 50 will be restored “in the coming days,”…

TransCo queries NGCP over alleged telecoms facilities

NATIONAL Transmission Corp. (TransCo) has asked privately-owned system operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) about the presence of alleged telecommunication facilities in the government’s power transmission assets, its top official said. “I wrote a letter to NGCP asking them to explain why is it there are communication facilities which are installed in the…

Senator wants Agus-Pulangui hydro complexes state-owned, professionally run

THE Senate energy committee prefers keeping the Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric power facilities in Mindanao in government hands, but with professional management from the private sector installed. “If ever, the Senate will keep Agus-Pulangi in the portfolio of government gencos (power generation companies),” said Sherwin T. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on energy in a recent…

DoE: Nuclear power to play role in achieving dev’t goals

NUCLEAR ENERGY will play a “pivotal” role in augmenting the country’s power supply and will help in accomplishing the administration’s long-term vision of lifting most Filipinos into the middle class by 2040, an Energy department official said on Monday. “The Philippines has always viewed nuclear energy as a long-term option for power generation that will…

DOE denies Luzon grid on yellow power alert until June

The Department of Energy DOE on Monday refuted a media report that the Luzon island has been placed on the second highest alert until June due to insufficient power reserves. A newspaper citing the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines NGCP had reported that a yellow alert was raised in Luzon after several power plants…

ERC sets hearing for Visayan Electric capex application

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has set for next month the hearing for Aboitiz-led Visayan Electric Co., Inc’s (VECO) application for its capital expenditure projects for 2016 and 2017, the regulator said in an order. VECO is seeking approval for a budget totaling at least P2.334 billion, which it said would not have a direct…