Investors affiliated with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) have lodged proposals on required reinforcements to energy policies, but without necessarily going through the arduous process of legislation again just to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

Nevertheless, the ECCP noted that "the IRR (implementing rules and regulations) of the EPIRA and rules on WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market) regulation should be adjusted."

The European business group is making its voice heard in the series of consultations as well as submitted its position to the Department of Energy (DOE) as to the proposed tweaks in the power industry reform law. The business chamber's other policy improvement recommendations are on: modification of the WESM's must­offer rule; switch to a day­ahead delivery market; establishment of a 'forward market' as well as integration of demand side bidding in the electricity spot market.

The others delve on the need to "streamline approval processes for new power plant projects at the level of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)" as well as resolution of "impediments to the construction of new power plants."

The ECCP also pushed for the lowering of threshold for open access ­ which under the rules, the next phase shall already cover end-users within the consumption bracket of 750 kilowatts.

The group further propounded that "pressure must be exerted on system operator NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines) to fulfill its mandate to contract quantities for reserve."

Monitoring of possible 'monopolistic behavior' of industry players was similarly raised by the European business aggrupation.

The final dialogue with stakeholders on the DOE proposed EPIRA amendments will be this February 18, based on invitation advisory sent to various affected parties.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla said "the outputs of the FGDs (focus group discussions) through the dialogue" will be used as a basis on the government's decision as to the proposed changes in the power industry law.

During the consultation process, the DOE noted that "each sector representative is expected to present and discuss its sector's views and recommendations on how EPIRA and its implementation can be enhanced for the greater good of electricity end-users."

At the same time, the department noted that fortifications in the policies must "facilitate the entry of new investments particularly in power generation and supply.”

Source: Manila Bulletin, 18 February 2014