The Department of Energy (DOE) has released guidelines to allow consumers to choose and avail renewable energy (RE) resources for their electricity needs.

DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi recently signed a department circular (DC) titled “Promulgating the Rules and Guidelines Governing the Establishment of the Green Energy Option Program Pursuant to the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.”

The circular shows rules that will allow end-users to choose RE resources for their electricity requirements.

This was issued in accordance to Section 9, Chapter III of the Renewable Energy (RE) Law, which orders the DOE to create a Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) which will provide consumers the option to choose from RE resources for their energy requirements.

The GEOP rules establish the overall guidelines and procedures concerning the transactions between consumers, RE suppliers, and network service providers about choosing and using RE resources in a cheaper cost and in a sustainable manner, the DOE said.

“A voluntary program, all end-users with a monthly average peak demand of 100kW and above for the past 12 months may opt to participate in the GEOP,” it said.

Those with an average peak demand below 100kW may also participate in the GEOP as long as the end-user can meet the standards and technical requirements after the DOE consults with the National Renewable Energy Board and industry stakeholders.

The department aims to attract more consumers to source their power from RE resources with the promulgation of the GEOP rules.

The DOE hopes to empower Filipinos with the freedom and flexibility to choose from a wider variety of choices for their energy needs

The program is in accord with the DOE strategy to aggressively promote the development, usage, and commercialization of indigenous and clean sources of energy, while securing a sustainable and safe supply of power for the country.