Despite the suspension of four commissioners of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the Department of Energy (DOE) assured the public on Sunday that there would be no power interruption that would happen.
The DOE and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) had approved a resolution that allows power generation companies to continue to operate and trade with WESM despite the suspension of all four ERC commissioners.
“The move aims to protect electricity consumers by preventing disruptions in WESM transactions while the ERC issue is being sorted out,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.
“The paramount consideration is the overall protection of public interest and the security of the supply of power. This is needed for the Philippines to meet its economic targets. This should take precedence over administrative issuances especially when an administrative body is unable to act,” Cusi added.
The decision was made after the approval of the resolution of the agreement with the Board of Directors of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), WESM’s operator, last Thursday.
Under the resolution, power generation companies would be allowed to trade with WESM upon presenting proof of their application of renewal of their Certificates of Compliance with ERC.
“New plants will also be permitted to trade or submit offers to the WESM upon proof of completion of testing and commissioning and other requirements for the issuance of a COC,” Cusi said.
“The COC is a requirement for the registration and continuing participation of generation companies in the WESM. About 26 generation companies with a total of 3,314.60 MW generator capacities have expired or have expiring COCs in 2018,” Cusi explained.
The energy secretary also urged both PEMC and DOE to coordinate with ERC “to ensure the continuing operations of existing plants and to allow power generation from new plants that will be completed.”
In December 2017, the Ombudsman ordered a one-year suspension against all four ERC commissioners after being found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, aggravated by simple misconduct and simple neglect of duty. /je
READ: Ombudsman suspends all 4 ERC commissioners for one year