DOE endorses 24 projects for commercial operations

The Department of Energy (DOE) has endorsed 24 projects for commercial operations as of Sept. 7 this year.

The agency issued certificates of endorsement (COE) to these projects, which have a combined capacity of 1.418 megawatts (MW).

Of the 24 endorsed projects, there are 13 diesel-fired plants, 10 renewable energy plants and only one coal-fired plant, data from the DOE showed.

Of the renewable energy projects, four are solar projects, three are hydropower projects and three are biomass projects.

The biggest of the lot is the coal-fired power plant of Orion Pacific Prime Energy Inc. located in Awasan, Tagkawayan, Quezon. It has a capacity of 1,000 MW.

Among the other projects endorsed are Solar Philippines Tanauan Corp.’s 100-MW solar farm in Tanauan, Batangas, and Power Source First Bulacan Solar Inc.’s 50-MW solar plant in San Miguel, Bulacan.

These companies have struck a deal to supply Manila Electric Co. with 50 MW each and are awaiting the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on the power supply agreements (PSAs).

The COE is a requirement for the issuance of Certificate of Compliance (COC) by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which is necessary before any generation company can commence commercial operations.

The COC has a term of five years during which period the generators are required to comply with the terms and conditions set forth in the ERC’s guidelines for the issuance of certificate of compliance for generation companies/facilities that include reportorial, technical and financial requirements.