NGCP postpones AS bidding

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has postponed the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) for ancillary services (AS) to a later date following several issues raised by bidders. 

“Cognizant of the fact that several issues were raised by the prospective bidders for Ancillary Services regarding the conduct of Competitive Selection Process for Ancillary Services, and consistent with the policy of promoting competition in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner, all interested bidders are hereby advised that the conduct of Competitive Selection Process for Ancillary Services has been moved to a later date,” NGCP said in a statement. 

The grid firm said that it will issue advisories on the new timeline for the bidding. 

Just last week, NGCP invited power generation companies to bid for the grid firm’s ancillary service, also known as reserve power requirements, for the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao Grids’ reserve power in time for the summer months. 

Companies that will be bidding should be able to provide power in a firm-based arrangement for five years, which includes an annual performance evaluation. 

NGCP needs 1,776.7 megawatts (MW) of firm contracts to cover its reserve requirements. The grid firm currently has 809.3MW. 

Earlier, the Energy Regulatory Commission mentioned that the NGCP has firm contracts up for approval. In January, the Department of Energy reiterated its call to NGCP to secure reserve power requirements from firm contracts.