More participants sought for net metering program

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) hopes to attract more consumers to participate in the net metering program as it directed distribution utilities (DUs) to shoulder the cost of meters and its installation.

This as ERC clarified certain provisions in the 2019 Amended NetMetering Rules to properly guide the electric power industry stakeholders and encourage more qualified endusers to participate in the program.

ERC chairperson and chief executive officer Agnes Devanadera said the agency addressed the issues raised by stakeholders particularly on aspects pertaining to the definition of good credit standing, who should bear the cost of a renewable energy certificate (REC) meter and the attendant wiring cost, where the REC meter should be installed, and ownership of the meter/s.

However, the most crucial concern raised by the distribution utilities (DUs) is the cost of the REC meter and the attendant installation cost thereto.

ERC said the cost of the REC meter must be shouldered by the DU while the wiring cost from the facility to the REC meter shall be borne by the qualified end-user.

“With the clarifications that we have issued, we hope that any ambiguity will be eliminated and that more end-users will be encouraged to participate in the net metering program,” Devanadera said.

“Qualified end-users will be empowered with the program as they are ensured of a sustainable power supply and they also help decongest the power grid,” she said.

The power regulator implemented the net metering program in 2013 as mandated by the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

The net metering program transforms an ordinary electricity consumer to become a “prosumer,” with the ability to generate electricity for his own consumption and sell any excess generation to the distribution grid.