ERC to make revisions on draft CSP guidelines

MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will make further revisions on the draft rules of the competitive selection process (CSP) in consideration of inputs from stakeholders.

The draft implementing guidelines for the procurement, execution, and evaluation of power supply agreements entered into by distribution utilities for the supply of electricity to their captive market or the draft CSP guidelines was published by the ERC on Aug. 14.

This came after focus group discussions with various stakeholder groups were conducted from July 26 to 28.

After the posting of the draft CSP guidelines, the ERC said it solicited comments, and public consultations were held on Aug. 22.

The ERC said it also received comments on various dates as recently as Aug. 29.

“Given the nature of the comments and the intention of the commission to give due weight to the same, the commission is compelled to conduct a thorough review and revision of the draft CSP guidelines,” the ERC said.

“In this regard, the commission will issue a revised draft of the CSP guidelines that will then be subjected to another round of public consultation before finalizing the guidelines,” it said.

The ERC said it has notified the Department of Energy (DOE) of the necessity to consider the comments of stakeholders and the need to revise the draft CSP guidelines further.

The ERC, together with the DOE, have decided to review the current CSP guidelines, with the intention of making it a more streamlined process and more responsive to the needs of the times.

The CSP is the process wherein a power supplier is chosen to supply electric power requirements of a distribution utility through transparent and competitive bidding.

It is mandated by the government to get the least cost power to consumers.

The CSP policy was issued by the DOE to speed up power supply procurement.