The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has authorized the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to proceed with more than PHP 33 billion worth of transmission projects aimed at connecting new power plants to the grid in Luzon and the Visayas.

In a decision promulgated March 18, 2026, the ERC approved NGCP’s application to implement a set of capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects covering connection requirements for incoming generation facilities and sub-transmission systems.

The projects are designed to accommodate the entry of new power plants and distribution utility connections across multiple substations. These include three Luzon connection projects and two Visayas projects, all certified as Energy Projects of National Significance (EPNS) by the Department of Energy.

Total proposed project cost reached PHP 33.17 billion, with around PHP 32.92 billion net of permit fees, based on figures reviewed by the Commission.

The ERC emphasized that approved costs remain subject to further scrutiny, noting these will be optimized based on “actual use and verified expenses incurred” and supported by invoices during the regulatory reset process.

NGCP’s sought approval to roll out the transmission upgrades in its  August 2025 application, filed through the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS). Proceedings included hearings, submissions from the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), and testimonies from NGCP technical officials.

Under the Philippine Grid Code and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, NGCP is mandated to expand and develop the transmission system to ensure non-discriminatory access and accommodate new generation capacity entering the grid.

What do you think this approval signals for grid readiness and incoming generation capacity in Luzon and Visayas?

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