The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded the certificate of  “Energy Project of National Significance” (EPNS) to four energy projects.

Having the EPNS certification means that they are entitled to faster approval processes.

These energy developments are Galoc field area and development and the Mahanagdong geothermal brine of the Energy Development Corporation. The former is an upstream oil and gas sector investment, as reported in a Manila Bulletin article.

The remaining two are the battery energy storage system (BESS) project of the Aboitiz group and Philippine Geothermal Production Company’s (PGPC) Mount Malinao geothermal project.

The Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC) is responsible for the evaluation processes of these projects. DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi will have the final approval for these projects.

Around 297 have been accepted by the EICC out of the 368 CEPNS project applications the energy department has received since the policy was implemented in 2017.

The remaining 71 project applications were sent notices that are not compliant “as to form and documentary requirements,” and was no longer processed by the EICC.

A total of 140 applications were already certified as CEPNS, while the remaining 157 are still being reviewed.

DOE has already awarded the CEPNS to First Gen Corporation’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal project prior to these four newly approved projects.

First Gen will install a floating storage regassification unit (FSRU) in hopes to take Malampaya’s place before its contract ends in 2024. The next development will be an onshore LNG terminal to supply the country its gas requirements.