The Energy Regulatory Commission said over the weekend it signed a tripartite agreement with the local government unit of Pasig City and Manila Electric Co. to expedite the adoption of renewable energy in the area.
“We share in the vision [of the Pasig local government unit] of making it easier for Pasigueños to avail of government programs and enjoy the benefits. We can empower our consumers by making these programs more accessible. ERC is one with the people to bring closer solutions to the public,” ERC chairperson and chief executive Monalisa Dimalanta said.
Dimalanta said the three parties agreed to collaborate on opportunities that would encourage RE use in the city, focusing on projects like the net-metering program and distributed energy resources. These could help manage electricity costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate economic development.
The net-metering program enables an ordinary electricity consumer to become a “prosumer” by generating electricity for its own consumption and sell excess generation to the distribution grid. Is a non-fiscal incentive mandated by the Renewable Energy Act.
The ERC said it would deploy resource personnel at the City Hall to facilitate the process and assist Pasigueños with their concerns. The personnel will handle the processing of certificates of compliance applications for net-metering, DERs and self-generating facilities.
It will also assist in streamlining documentary submissions and the processes for installation, payment and permitting.
The three parties will also conduct an information, education and communications campaign for electricity consumers and solar/renewable energy installers.
The ERC said it had issued COCs to 146 qualified end-users under the net-metering program in Pasig, with a total capacity of 1,284.87 kilowatt-peak as of June 30.
Dimalanta expressed optimism other local government units would follow Pasig’s lead in establishing their own one-stop shop for net-metering applications.
