The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) reported that only 40 generation companies (GenCos) have complied with the Public Offering Requirement (POR) guidelines, representing 15.15% of total installed capacity.

Data presented at the Commission’s eighth Open Commission Meeting on September 25 showed that 131 GenCos, equivalent to 49.62% of capacity, have yet to comply. The POR guidelines are intended to promote transparency and broaden public participation in the power sector through share offerings.

ERC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan, together with Commissioners Floresinda G. Baldo-Digal, Marko Romeo L. Fuentes, and Amante A. Liberato, presided over the deliberations.

The regulator noted that another 60 new GenCos, representing 22.73% of capacity, are not yet required to comply, with implementation set “not later than five (5) years from the issuance of their COC.” 

Other categories such as cooperatives, partnerships, government-owned facilities, micro-grid providers, and Independent Power Producers under the Build-Operate-Transfer scheme are exempted from the requirement.

The Commission emphasized that compliance with POR and other regulatory obligations, such as Energy Regulations 1-94 (ER 1-94) with host beneficiaries, are prerequisites for the issuance of Provisional Authorities to Operate (PAOs) or Certificates of Compliance (COCs).

“Through these deliberations, the ERC reaffirms its commitment to transparent decision-making and to keeping the public informed on key regulatory matters that impact the energy sector,” Juan said.

During the deliberations, ERC also examined measures to help both GenCos and distribution utilities (DUs) meet their regulatory obligations. These include streamlining processes for stakeholders while maintaining safeguards that protect public interest.

What do you think: should stricter timelines be enforced for GenCos to meet the POR, or do exemptions and extensions strike the right balance for the sector?

Follow Power Philippines on Facebook and LinkedIn or join our Viber community for more updates.