The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has significantly ramped up regulatory actions in the first half of 2025, fast-tracking permits and boosting accountability measures across the power sector.

Data from the ERC showed a 100.8% increase in Certificates of Compliance (COCs) issued from 1,064 in Q1 to 2,137 by the end of June. A majority of these were for net-metering qualified end-users, which surged to 1,696 from 868. Self-Generating Facilities (SGFs) approvals also climbed 170%, from 94 to 254.

“With the Commission’s faster approvals and strengthened enforcement, the ERC is actively boosting the country’s power infrastructure and reinforcing regulatory efficiency in the energy sector,” said ERC Chairperson and CEO Monalisa C. Dimalanta. “This also shows our commitment to ensuring that our regulated entities, especially the power providers, deliver on their obligations, as this would directly benefit Filipino consumers, encourage more investments, and contribute to the overall resilience of our energy systems.”

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) saw a modest rise in COCs from 8 to 18, while Independent Power Producers (IPPs) rose from 8 to 12. The number of Provisional Authorities to Operate (PAOs) granted to IPPs jumped 82%, from 86 in March to 157 by June.

These permitting activities translated to a near doubling of installed capacity from 5,548 megawatts (MW) to 11,698 MW, an additional 6,150 MW contributing to grid reliability and supply availability nationwide.

Regulatory issuances also spiked, with Orders and Decisions increasing more than fivefold—from 41 in Q1 to 240 by Q2. Show Cause Orders (SCOs) rose sharply by 1,440%, from 10 to 154, reflecting stricter enforcement against non-compliant entities.

Between April and June, the ERC resolved 39 of 50 applications for Provisional Authority (PA) for Power Supply Agreements (PSAs), denying 11. It also issued 17 decisions on Point-to-Point (P2P) transmission facility applications, up from 6 in Q1. For National Grid Corporation of the Philippines CAPEX applications, 19 orders were issued, up from 10 in the first quarter.

What’s your view on the ERC’s accelerated permitting and enforcement? Let’s discuss how this could reshape energy reliability, investments, and compliance in the sector.

Follow Power Philippines on Facebook and LinkedIn or join our Viber community to stay up to date on the latest energy news.