THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has asked the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to submit environmental clearances and project contracts to support the grid operator’s application for the fifth regulatory period.
“The Commission has conducted an initial review of the instant Application and has identified additional documents that are required in the Commission’s evaluation of the subject Application and complete review process,” the ERC said in an order dated Oct. 13.
The fifth regulatory period covers 2023-2027. The last transmission reset completed by the ERC was for the five-year regulatory period covering 2010 to 2015.
The ERC said the required documents should cover 2016 up to “the latest available data unless a different period is provided in the matrix.”
This includes environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for all projects where an ECC is required; pre-manufacturing and pre-importation requirements; and performance evaluations for personnel safety.
The ERC is also requiring copies of contracts for projects entered into between 2016 and 2023; a list of upcoming projects; value-added tax returns for 2018 to 2022; and details of all NGCP projects such as engineering design and approved budget estimates, among others.
The NGCP has 10 days from receipt of the order to submit the documents via electronic filing and within five days from the date of acknowledgment to submit pleadings through personal service, registered e-mail, or ordinary mail.
The NGCP filed an application dated March 29 seeking approval from the ERC of its maximum annual revenue for the 5th regulatory period in accordance with the promulgated Resolution No. 08, series of 2022, or the Amended Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates.
According to the ERC, failure to comply with the order is subject to administrative sanctions in the form of fines and penalties authorized by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.
Asked to comment, NGCP Spokesperson Cynthia P. Alabanza said in a Viber message that the company is currently studying the order and preparing to comply.
“We received the Order on Oct. 13, Friday, after hours at 9:55 p.m. Unfortunately, while the Order gave us 10 days to comply, our receipt of the Order on Friday after the end of office hours means that 2 compliance days have already lapsed,” she said.
ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Monalisa C. Dimalanta said last week that the commission is targeting to complete its review of the 4th regulatory period within the year and the 5th regulatory period by the second quarter next year.
“It has been full of challenges every step of the way. But we are determined to complete this by year end, so we can proceed to the 5th RP evaluation,” Ms. Dimalanta said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera
