GEA-All suspended for 2 more months

MANILA, Philippines — Consumers will not pay for the green energy auction allowance (GEA-All) in their electricity bills for another two months following the extension of its suspension until August.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said the continued suspension of the GEA-All rate, equivalent to P0.0371 per kilowatt-hour, is intended to provide relief to Filipinos amid rising power costs and ongoing economic challenges.

The suspension also applies to all collection agents, including distribution utilities, retail electricity suppliers and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

GEA-All, a uniform charge collected from consumers to support the development of renewable energy (RE) projects across the country, was first suspended in May and June.

The ERC said the suspension was extended after determining that the GEA-All fund remained sufficient to settle payment obligations to eligible RE developers.

As of June 5, the fund maintained a balance of around P707.47 million, according to ERC data.

“While consumer relief remains a priority, the financial integrity of the GEA-All fund will continue to be safeguarded to ensure timely payments to qualified RE developers,” the regulator said.

It added that the GEA-All fund will be closely monitored to determine whether the suspension may be extended further.