The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has issued new power market share limits for 2026 as part of efforts to promote fair competition among power generation companies and prevent market dominance in the Philippine power sector.

In Resolution No. 17, Series of 2026, the ERC updated the Installed Generating Capacity (IGC) — or the total electricity generation capacity available in a grid — and Market Share Limitation (MSL) levels for the Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and national grids.

Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001, no single company or related group may own, operate, or control more than 30% of a grid’s installed generating capacity and no more than 25% of the national installed generating capacity.

For 2026, the ERC set the Luzon Grid’s installed generating capacity at 20.42 million kilowatts (kW), with a corresponding market share limit of 6.13 million kW.

The Visayas Grid was set at 3.48 million kW with a limit of 1.04 million kW, while the Mindanao Grid was set at 4.30 million kW with a limit of 1.29 million kW.

Meanwhile, the national grid’s installed generating capacity was set at 28.20 million kW with a market share cap of 7.05 million kW.

The ERC said the updated figures were based on the Maximum Stable Load (Pmax) of generation facilities, which refers to the maximum dependable electricity output a power plant can continuously deliver under normal operating conditions.

ERC Chairperson and CEO Francis Saturnino C. Juan said the updated limits are intended to support transparency, competition, and long-term energy security in the power sector.

“Healthy competition in the power sector is essential to ensuring reliable electricity supply and protecting consumers from unreasonable prices,” Juan said.

“By regularly updating the Installed Generating Capacity and Market Share Limitation, the ERC helps prevent market dominance and promotes a level playing field for all industry participants,” he added.

Juan also said the updated figures will help improve monitoring and planning as the Philippine energy sector continues integrating renewable energy, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and other emerging technologies.

“The Philippine energy sector continues to expand and modernize,” Juan said. “This Resolution allows the ERC to more accurately reflect the actual operating capacities of power plants nationwide, while ensuring that competition remains fair, transparent, and beneficial to consumers.”

The complete list of generation facilities and corresponding installed generating capacities per grid is included in Appendix “A” of the resolution released by the ERC on their website.

As the Philippine power sector continues expanding, how can regulators balance growing investment, market competition, and consumer protection amid rising electricity demand?

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