ERC moves schedule of SPTANC hearings

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has moved to September the public hearings on the applications of Solar Philippines Tanauan Corp. (SPTANC) to develop transmission facilities to connect its solar power facilities to the substations of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

The agency has set on September 16 the “compliance with jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and presentation of evidence.”

SPTANC filed in February this year an application to develop and own dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities to connect the Naic Solar Power Plant to the Meralco TMC 2 substation.

The solar power provider will construct and own a 140MW solar power in Maragondon, Cavite. This will be connected to Meralco’s TMC2 115-kilovolt substation through the construction of a transmission line.

SPTANC said the transmission facility will ensure unhampered supply of electricity in Luzon.

The ERC finds the application “sufficient in form and substance with the required fees having been paid.”

Separately, SPTANC will put up another solar power facility that needs to be connected with Meralco’s substation.

“SPTANC filed an application on December 18, 2019 seeking the commission’s approval of its authority to develop and own dedicated point-topoint limited transmission facilities to connect the Tanauan solar power plant to the Meralco,” it said.

The ERC originally scheduled the hearing on this application last March 26.

The agency, however, cancelled all hearings that were scheduled from March 17 to April 13 due to the pandemic.

“To contain the spread of Covid-19, SPTANC is directed to implement the health protocols and community quarantine guidelines required to be observed. Moreover, SPTANC and all those who have signified their intention to appear as oppositor, are highly encouraged to send only one representative each,” the ERC said.