The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered the temporary suspension of the collection of the Green Energy Auction Allowance (GEA-All) for the May and June 2026 billing periods to help ease electricity costs for consumers amidst rising inflation and global economic pressures.

In a statement released today, the ERC said the suspension covers the GEA-All rate equivalent to PHP 0.0371 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for all electricity consumers nationwide. The suspension applies to all collection agents, including distribution utilities (DUs), retail electricity suppliers (RES), and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

The GEA-All is a charge collected from all electricity consumers to support payments to renewable energy developers participating in the government’s Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP), which awards long-term renewable energy supply contracts through competitive bidding.

According to the ERC, the decision was made after the commission assessed that the GEA-All Fund still has a healthy balance of around PHP 466.49 million as of May 5, 2026.

The commission said the existing fund remains sufficient to cover projected payment requirements for eligible renewable energy developers during the suspension period, including additional renewable energy facilities expected to participate by June 2026.

ERC Chairperson and CEO Francis Saturnino C. Juan said the measure seeks to balance support for renewable energy development with consumer protection during a period of economic strain.

“While the ERC remains fully committed to supporting the country’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, we also recognize the immediate challenges being faced by Filipino households due to rising prices and global uncertainties,” Juan said. 

“This temporary suspension of the GEA-All collection is intended to provide additional relief to consumers while ensuring that renewable energy developers continue to receive the support provided under existing policies,” he added.

The ERC clarified that the temporary suspension will not affect the continued implementation of the government’s renewable energy programs under the GEAP.

“The Commission will continue to ensure that policies promoting renewable energy remain fair, transparent, and sustainable,” Juan explained. “At the same time, we are committed to implementing practical interventions that can help cushion consumers from sudden increases in electricity-related costs.”

The commission said it will conduct a comprehensive review of the GEA-All Fund by June 2026 to determine whether the suspension should be extended further depending on fund availability and market conditions.

Do you think temporary suspensions of electricity-related charges can provide meaningful relief to consumers amid rising power costs?

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