The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved Resolution No. 23, Series of 2026, adopting revised rules on power plant reliability performance indices and allowable equivalent unplanned outage days for generating units.

The revised rules update reliability standards for power plants, strengthen outage monitoring, and encourage better maintenance planning to support a more reliable electricity supply nationwide.

The ERC updated the reliability benchmarks using actual operating and outage data from 2015 to 2024.

The rules also align planned outage schedules with Department of Energy (DOE) policies and clarify reporting and documentation requirements for planned and unplanned outages.

The revised rules establish technology-specific allowable equivalent unplanned outage days, meaning outage performance will be measured based on the type of generating technology involved.

Generation companies will also be required to submit planned maintenance schedules and post-maintenance completion reports.

The rules strengthen accountability through compliance plans and administrative sanctions for persistent non-compliance.

In simpler terms, the updated rules are expected to give regulators a clearer basis for tracking whether power plants are performing reliably, while giving generation companies stronger incentives to schedule maintenance properly and avoid preventable outages. 

By setting outage limits based on generation technology and requiring consistent reporting, the ERC can better identify persistent reliability problems and require corrective action before they translate into bigger issues.

ERC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan said the revised rules put greater focus on preventing avoidable power plant outages rather than merely responding to disruptions after they occur.

“Reliable power plants are essential to reliable electricity service. These revised rules encourage generation companies to strengthen preventive maintenance, improve operational performance, and minimize unplanned outages that can contribute to supply shortages and higher electricity costs,” Juan said.

“Ultimately, this means a more dependable power system that better serves Filipino consumers,” he added.

The revised rules also require consistent reporting of power plant performance and allow the ERC to publish annual reliability data by generation technology.

The ERC said the measure will help regulators, system operators, investors, and electricity consumers monitor power plant performance and support planning for future electricity needs.

The commission said Resolution No. 23 can help strengthen overall grid reliability, support a more stable electricity market, and enhance energy security.

For consumers, the ERC said the rules are expected to support a more dependable electricity supply, reduce potential supply disruptions during periods of high demand, and contribute to a more resilient power system.

Can stricter reliability rules help reduce avoidable outages and improve power supply stability for consumers?

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