ERC approves 4,124 new net metering applications

MANILA, Philippines — More Filipinos have joined the growing list of consumers who are also producers of their own electricity supply.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it issued a total of 4,124 new certificates of compliance (COCs) to qualified end-users (QEs) under the net metering program in 2023.

Out of this total number, the ERC said 3,200 new QEs are located in Luzon, 722 in Visayas, and 202 in Mindanao.

These translate to an additional 37.935 megawatts (MW) of capacity from renewable energy facilities installed by consumers to generate electricity for their own consumption or, if there is any excess, for export or sale to the distribution system.

The ERC said majority of these new QEs are in the franchise area of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), totaling to 1,972 QEs in the franchise area with 13.899 MW of capacity.

The other distribution utilities with the highest number of new QEs for 2023 are Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. and Visayan Electric Co., with 301 and 178 QE COCs, respectively.

“The net metering program is one of the cornerstones of energy democracy. It allows for consumers to produce their own power and even supply others with electricity beyond their own needs,” ERC chairperson and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta said.

The ERC has already issued a total of 11,707 COCs to QEs all over the country, equivalent to 101.251 MW of capacity since the implementation of the net metering program in 2015.

“We are committed to enabling all our consumers to have a greater hold of our energy destiny as we continue to streamline the permitting requirements and make it easier for end-users to enjoy the benefits of the programs,” Dimalanta said.

The ERC has entered into a tripartite agreement with Meralco and the City Government of Pasig.  It has also inked another agreement with More Electric and Power Corp. and the City Government of Iloilo, for the setting up of one-stop shops to increase the public awareness of the net metering program and facilitate the ERC processing of applications.

According to the ERC, the pilot programs also allow greater collaboration in identifying renewable energy opportunities in the LGUs, advance technological development, demonstrations and deployment, streamline processes, and share best practices, knowledge, and insights among the parties.

ERC personnel were likewise deployed in the Pasig City Hall and MORE Power’s Satellite Customer Service Office to assist the end-users on their QE-COC applications and address related concerns.

These help desks will continue to be implemented in 2024, according to the ERC.