The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a certificate of conformity (COC) to Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), allowing the country’s largest power retailer to proceed with its competitive selection process (CSP), or bidding, for 200 megawatts (MW) of baseload renewable energy capacity.
DOE Undersecretary Mario Marasigan confirmed that the department had cleared the first of Meralco’s proposed biddings after receiving and considering comments from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
“On the Meralco CSP, we have cleared the first, the 200 MW,” Marasigan said.
“In that sense, we deemed it OK to release the certificate of conformity for the 200 MW,” he said.
The 200 MW baseload renewable energy capacity is intended to supply Meralco’s requirements from Jan. 26, 2026, through Jan. 25, 2030. Marasigan noted that the distribution utility should ensure its compliance is based on the observations of the PCC and ERC before proceeding.
Meralco, however, has yet to receive the COC for the 200-MW baseload RE, according to the official.
Marasigan said the DOE has yet to issue COCs for Meralco’s proposed CSPs for 450 MW of mid-merit capacity and 600 MW of baseload capacity, as those proposals are still under review.
The 450 MW of mid-merit capacity is expected to supply Meralco starting Feb. 26, 2028, and Feb. 26, 2029, while the 600 MW baseload capacity is targeted to be delivered starting Feb. 26, 2028.
Meralco also plans another 900 MW baseload CSP toward the latter part of the year. The 900 MW is targeted for commercial operations on Feb. 26, 2030, with a contract term of 15 years.
