DOE endorses 12 projects to ERC

The Department of energy (DOE) has endorsed 12 power projects to the energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the issuance of certificates of compliance (Cocs).

Based on the agency’s January 2023 list, seven of the power generation facilities are diesel-powered, two are coal-powered, another two are solar-powered, and one hydropowered.

The DOE issued certificates of endorsement (Coe) to Occidental Mindoro Consolidated Power Corp.’s (OMCPC) 9.8megawatt (MW) MMBO diesel power plant; OMCPC’S 29.3MW SMR A bunker/diesel power plant; DMCI Power Corp.’s 15MW coal plant in Palawan; Negros Island Solar Power Inc.’s (NISPI) 32MW La Carlota solar plant in Negros Occidental; and Quezon Power Ltd. Co.’s 538.38MW coal plant in Mauban, Quezon.

Also granted Coe were NISPI’S 48MW Manapla solar power in Negros Occidental; National Power Corp.’s diesel plant in Sulu; SUWECO Tablas energy Corp.’s 2.1MW Carabao Island diesel plant in Romblon; Luzon hyrdo Corp.’s 74.8MW hydro plant in Ilocus Sur; and the three mobile bunker diesel power plants of Therma Mobile Inc. (TMI) in Navotas City, with a total capacity of 173.2MW.

The ERC, which will review and verify the list, will issue Cocs.

The electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) requires power generation companies (Gencos) to secure a COC from the ERC before its commercial operations, provided that the Gencos have also obtained the necessary health, safety and environmental clearances from the appropriate government agencies.

Also, the DOE cleared last month five renewable energy (Re) projects for the conduct of system impact studies (SIS).

These projects have been issued certificates of endorsement to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines for clearance to undertake SIS.

SIS is an assessment conducted by the Transmission Network Provider or System Operator in addition to the Grid Impact Studies. The SIS is necessary to determine the adequacy of the grid and its capability to accommodate a request for power delivery service.

Based on the Doe’s latest data, Solar Philippines Commercial Rooftop Projects Inc. proposed to build the 560MW peak Tayabas solar power project in Quezon.

A 70MW biomass cogeneration plant could be put up by Victorias Milling Company, Inc. in Negros Occidental.

In the same province, Victorias Green energy Corp. proposed to build a 100MW peak solar power project and a 150MW peak Manapla solar power project.

The fifth power project is the 20MW Bohol solar power of Bohol Renewable Power Corp.