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

MANILA, Philippines — 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 Inc. (RP Energy), St. Raphael Power Generation Corp. (SRPGC) and Atimonan One Energy Inc., which are currently undergoing procedural processes.

“Hopefully, barring any other complications, we should be able to consider a lot of the issues that have been put forth on the applications, power supply agreements put before us,” she said.

Asirit said Meralco is now commenting on the filings made my opposing parties on the three PSAs.

“It’s going through procedural processes because we have received motions, petitions for interventions from several groups,” Asirit said. “They will be evaluated and addressed as maybe necessary by the commission in the final evaluation of the cases.”

Earlier, the ERC has denied oppositions’ appeal to dismiss four out of seven Meralco PSAs. However, the opposing groups are given the chance to file their appeals as oppositions while the power regulator is deciding on the controversial PSAs.

Approving PSAs entails a comprehensive process, which include the conduct of the hearing process, filing of formal offer of evidence, technical evaluation, commission deliberation and issuance of a decision.

Out of the seven PSAs, Meralco’s contract with Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) was given provisional authority in July 2016.

A provisional authority was granted to the PEDC contract to meet demand requirements in view of the frequent yellow alert status of power reserves at that time, Asirit said.

Meanwhile, Asirit said three PSAs, namely contracts with Central Luzon Premiere Power Corp. (CLPPC) and Mariveles Power Generation Corp. (MPGC) of the San Miguel Group, and Global Luzon Energy Development Corp. (GLEDC) of Global Business Power Corp. – are not yet being deliberated on since they still lack environmental compliance certificates (ECCs).