Danessa Rivera April 29, 2020 - 12:00am
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/04/29/2010440/meralco-seeks-csp-deferment
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) plans to defer its competitive selection process (CSP) for 1,200 megawatt greenfield capacity due to volatile oil prices and the enhanced community quarantine imposed in Luzon.
Meralco has sought the approval of the Department of Energy to discontinue its CSP after having updated its power supply procurement plan and distribution development plan (DDP).
The power utility firm took into account “actual demand for 2019 and acquisition of demand-side and supply-side resources to cost-effectively meet needs of customers.”
Instead, it will invite bidders to participate in the bidding for greenfield baseload capacity of 1,800 MW (net), for commercial operations in 2024-2025.
The 1,800 MW capacity will be taken from the discontinued 1,200 MW greenfield capacity plus a 600 MW portion from the 1,500 MW baseload supply supposedly scheduled for CSP this year.
While the terms of the new CSP undertaking was approved by the DOE, Meralco president and CEO Ray Espinosa said the coronavirus pandemic has prevented the power distributor from proceeding with the bidding.
The international oil market has been trading with much volatility, with prices ending lower for eight straight weeks since the coronavirus pandemic started drying up global demand for fuel.
“The volatility is so high that it would be difficult for us to have a proper valuation which is the distinguishing criteria to determine who will win in the CSP,” Espinosa said.
“The other problem with CSP today is the [quarantine] actually prevents us from holding face-to-face meetings with the bidders for conducting and receiving voluminous documents that will accompany each bid,” he said.
In September last year, Meralco conducted a CSP for the 1,200-MW greenfield capacity, but it was declared a failed bidding after only Atimonan One Energy Inc., a unit of Meralco Powergen Corp. (MGen), submitted its offer.
After the failed bidding, the DOE directed Meralco to open the second round of its CSP to all power plants—whether old or new—to truly allow competition and get the least cost of power for consumers.
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Aboitiz Power to hike capacity
Danessa Rivera April 29, 2020 - 12:00am
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/04/29/2010432/aboitiz-power-hike-capacity
MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz Power Corp. is eyeing to more than double its capacity as it undertakes more renewable energy projects in the next 10 years.
During the company’s annual stockholders meeting, AboitizPower president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Rubio said they plan to grow the capacity from 4,432 megawatts to 9,300 MW by 2029.
He said the 10-year plan is geared towards delivering earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization and a major shift in its energy mix.
Rubio said there would be more investments in renewable energy, “resulting in a shift in our overall capacity mix to almost 1:1 thermal to cleanergy.”
To meet this target, AboitizPower will focus on local and overseas renewable energy opportunities.
“We are focusing on participating and playing a significant role in the program of the government on renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and the Green Energy Option program (GEOP) plus our focus growth area overseas,” Rubio said.
RPS mandates power industry players to produce and source a certain percentage of electricity from RE sources such as biomass, waste-to-energy technology, wind energy, solar energy, run-of-river hydroelectric power systems, impounding hydroelectric power systems, ocean energy, and geothermal energy.
The GEOP is a mechanism where electricity end-users are given the option to choose RE as their preferred source of energy.
AboitizPower previously announced plans to pursue its planned international expansion, particularly in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
“We expect that 13 percent of our portfolio in the next 10 years will be international and all of those will be renewable,” Rubio said.
To date, bulk of AboitizPower’s capacity is dominated by thermal power, while its Cleanergy brand amounts to 1,272 MW or 39 percent of its total net sellable capacity, generated from its portfolio of hydro, geothermal, and solar power plants.
This is to ensure that current baseload power demand of the country and the affordability of electricity prices are met, Rubio said.
“Allow me to point out that AboitizPower is actually a pioneer in renewable energy and we have the largest nameplate capacity in terms of renewable and we are going to continue growing our renewable portfolio,” he said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/04/29/2010432/aboitiz-power-hike-capacity
MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz Power Corp. is eyeing to more than double its capacity as it undertakes more renewable energy projects in the next 10 years.
During the company’s annual stockholders meeting, AboitizPower president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Rubio said they plan to grow the capacity from 4,432 megawatts to 9,300 MW by 2029.
He said the 10-year plan is geared towards delivering earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization and a major shift in its energy mix.
Rubio said there would be more investments in renewable energy, “resulting in a shift in our overall capacity mix to almost 1:1 thermal to cleanergy.”
To meet this target, AboitizPower will focus on local and overseas renewable energy opportunities.
“We are focusing on participating and playing a significant role in the program of the government on renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and the Green Energy Option program (GEOP) plus our focus growth area overseas,” Rubio said.
RPS mandates power industry players to produce and source a certain percentage of electricity from RE sources such as biomass, waste-to-energy technology, wind energy, solar energy, run-of-river hydroelectric power systems, impounding hydroelectric power systems, ocean energy, and geothermal energy.
The GEOP is a mechanism where electricity end-users are given the option to choose RE as their preferred source of energy.
AboitizPower previously announced plans to pursue its planned international expansion, particularly in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
“We expect that 13 percent of our portfolio in the next 10 years will be international and all of those will be renewable,” Rubio said.
To date, bulk of AboitizPower’s capacity is dominated by thermal power, while its Cleanergy brand amounts to 1,272 MW or 39 percent of its total net sellable capacity, generated from its portfolio of hydro, geothermal, and solar power plants.
This is to ensure that current baseload power demand of the country and the affordability of electricity prices are met, Rubio said.
“Allow me to point out that AboitizPower is actually a pioneer in renewable energy and we have the largest nameplate capacity in terms of renewable and we are going to continue growing our renewable portfolio,” he said.
AEV slashes year’s budget by 36% to P47 billion as quarantine hits businesses
April 28, 2020 | 12:04 am
https://www.bworldonline.com/aev-slashes-years-budget-by-36-pct-to-p47-billion-quarantine-hits-businesses/
ABOITIZ Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) is slashing its 2020 capital expenditures (capex) by about 36% to P47 billion in a bid to cut spending as it factors in the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a statement Monday, the listed holding firm of the Aboitiz Group said it was removing P26 billion from its initial capex of P73 billion to “[consider] the impact [of the pandemic] on the group’s and country’s future growth.”
It said most of the reductions were originally allocated for its infrastructure, power and land units covering operating, maintenance and expansion costs.
“Most of our businesses are in industries that are vital to keeping the economy running. Filipinos need electricity, food products, and money, for example. And for our other businesses, we have been prudent in capital expenditure spending so this should not be much of a problem,” AEV President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin M. Aboitiz said in the statement.
The implementation of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) since middle of March had varying effects on AEV’s different business segments.
Power unit Aboitiz Power Corp. said it noticed a slowdown in power demand, but consumption is starting to rise because of the warmer weather. The first unit of its GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. power plant in Bataan is set to start operations by the second quarter of 2021.
Banking unit UnionBank of the Philippines observed a tenfold increase in digital customers since the start of the ECQ. It has now boosted its services to allow direct fund transfers to remittance centers nationwide.
Pilmico Foods Corp. said its facilities and farms remained operational during the ECQ period. It plans to continue the integration of Pilmico and Singapore-based Gold Coin Management Holdings, Inc. this year, which will “[optimize] synergies in procurement, cross-selling across countries, and shared services in its corporate services units.”
Infrastructure arm Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. is still reviewing the impact of the pandemic on its projects, particularly those in the airport sector. Its bulk water supply unit Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. is coordinating with contractors on how to address the ECQ in Davao City.
Real estate unit Aboitiz Land, Inc. is continuing plans to build townships and logistics facilities as it anticipates a surge in demand after the pandemic. “AboitizLand expects the local real estate market to be quite resilient, with the large unmet demand for housing a significant contributing factor,” it said.
Construction unit Aboitiz Construction, Inc. also remains in operation for projects in Balamban, Cebu and Mindanao. For projects in areas under ECQ, work is still suspended at the moment.
“Digital infrastructure investments in previous years and regular business continuity planning has allowed us to cope with the adverse impact of COVID-19. While it’s anyone’s guess how the future will unfold, we assure our stakeholders that we are fully equipped and prepared to guarantee the continuity of all business transactions,” Mr. Aboitiz said.
AEV booked a net income of P22 billion last year, 1% lower from a year ago, due to a double-digit profit decline in its power unit because of power outages. Shares in AEV at the stock exchange gained P1.85 or 4.55% to P42.50 each on Monday. — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/aev-slashes-years-budget-by-36-pct-to-p47-billion-quarantine-hits-businesses/
ABOITIZ Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) is slashing its 2020 capital expenditures (capex) by about 36% to P47 billion in a bid to cut spending as it factors in the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a statement Monday, the listed holding firm of the Aboitiz Group said it was removing P26 billion from its initial capex of P73 billion to “[consider] the impact [of the pandemic] on the group’s and country’s future growth.”
It said most of the reductions were originally allocated for its infrastructure, power and land units covering operating, maintenance and expansion costs.
“Most of our businesses are in industries that are vital to keeping the economy running. Filipinos need electricity, food products, and money, for example. And for our other businesses, we have been prudent in capital expenditure spending so this should not be much of a problem,” AEV President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin M. Aboitiz said in the statement.
The implementation of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) since middle of March had varying effects on AEV’s different business segments.
Power unit Aboitiz Power Corp. said it noticed a slowdown in power demand, but consumption is starting to rise because of the warmer weather. The first unit of its GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. power plant in Bataan is set to start operations by the second quarter of 2021.
Banking unit UnionBank of the Philippines observed a tenfold increase in digital customers since the start of the ECQ. It has now boosted its services to allow direct fund transfers to remittance centers nationwide.
Pilmico Foods Corp. said its facilities and farms remained operational during the ECQ period. It plans to continue the integration of Pilmico and Singapore-based Gold Coin Management Holdings, Inc. this year, which will “[optimize] synergies in procurement, cross-selling across countries, and shared services in its corporate services units.”
Infrastructure arm Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. is still reviewing the impact of the pandemic on its projects, particularly those in the airport sector. Its bulk water supply unit Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. is coordinating with contractors on how to address the ECQ in Davao City.
Real estate unit Aboitiz Land, Inc. is continuing plans to build townships and logistics facilities as it anticipates a surge in demand after the pandemic. “AboitizLand expects the local real estate market to be quite resilient, with the large unmet demand for housing a significant contributing factor,” it said.
Construction unit Aboitiz Construction, Inc. also remains in operation for projects in Balamban, Cebu and Mindanao. For projects in areas under ECQ, work is still suspended at the moment.
“Digital infrastructure investments in previous years and regular business continuity planning has allowed us to cope with the adverse impact of COVID-19. While it’s anyone’s guess how the future will unfold, we assure our stakeholders that we are fully equipped and prepared to guarantee the continuity of all business transactions,” Mr. Aboitiz said.
AEV booked a net income of P22 billion last year, 1% lower from a year ago, due to a double-digit profit decline in its power unit because of power outages. Shares in AEV at the stock exchange gained P1.85 or 4.55% to P42.50 each on Monday. — Denise A. Valdez
AboitizPower targets Bataan power plant’s commercial run in early 2021
April 28, 2020 | 12:03 am
https://www.bworldonline.com/aboitizpower-targets-bataan-power-plants-commercial-run-in-early-2021-2/
ABOITIZ POWER Corp. said it is eyeing to finish the preparation for a 668 megawatts (MW) power plant unit in Bataan this year before it can commercially run in the first quarter of 2021.
In the virtual annual stockholders’ meeting on Monday, AboitizPower Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said the listed energy firm plans to complete the construction and synchronization of one unit of the supercritical 1,336 megawatts (MW) power plant by GN Power Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD).
“Unit one will synchronize and earn commissioning revenues by the fourth quarter and will commence commercial operations by the first quarter of 2021,” Mr. Rubio said.
The power plant in Mariveles, Bataan is the company’s joint venture project with Ayala-led AC Energy Corp., formerly AC Energy Philippines, Inc.
As for the plant’s second unit, it will be synchronized and will earn commissioning revenues by the first quarter of next year, and start commercial operations by the second quarter.
Synchronization is the process of matching the speed and frequency of a power generation to a running network to deliver power in electricity grids.
First-line commissioning activities were initially expected to begin by the first quarter of the year.
The energy company is expecting a total attributable capacity of 4,432 MW by the end of the year. “Currently, 968 MW of this pertains to GNPD and its other construction,” Mr. Rubio added.
Meanwhile, the drop in electricity demand throughout the country upon the implementation of the ECQ due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the power firm’s revenue targets for 2020.
As businesses started to slowly return in operations after temporarily closing, the company saw a cause for optimism as there has been a slight increase in power demand.
“We’re seeing [an] uptick in demand, mainly brought about by some return to normalcy in some businesses that we are seeing, and increase in temperature,” Mr. Rubio noted.
Recently, the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission posted their advisories, which task energy stakeholders to provide a grace period in the payments of electricity bills and allow these to be paid in four installments in the next four billing months starting mid-May.
“We initially adjust[ed] our collection targets downwards to reflect these advisories,” Mr. Rubio said. “But good news, we are seeing more collection than initially forecasted, and we hope that this continues,” he added.
On Monday, shares in AboitizPower increased by 2.45% to close at P27.20 apiece. — Adam J. Ang
https://www.bworldonline.com/aboitizpower-targets-bataan-power-plants-commercial-run-in-early-2021-2/
ABOITIZ POWER Corp. said it is eyeing to finish the preparation for a 668 megawatts (MW) power plant unit in Bataan this year before it can commercially run in the first quarter of 2021.
In the virtual annual stockholders’ meeting on Monday, AboitizPower Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said the listed energy firm plans to complete the construction and synchronization of one unit of the supercritical 1,336 megawatts (MW) power plant by GN Power Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD).
“Unit one will synchronize and earn commissioning revenues by the fourth quarter and will commence commercial operations by the first quarter of 2021,” Mr. Rubio said.
The power plant in Mariveles, Bataan is the company’s joint venture project with Ayala-led AC Energy Corp., formerly AC Energy Philippines, Inc.
As for the plant’s second unit, it will be synchronized and will earn commissioning revenues by the first quarter of next year, and start commercial operations by the second quarter.
Synchronization is the process of matching the speed and frequency of a power generation to a running network to deliver power in electricity grids.
First-line commissioning activities were initially expected to begin by the first quarter of the year.
The energy company is expecting a total attributable capacity of 4,432 MW by the end of the year. “Currently, 968 MW of this pertains to GNPD and its other construction,” Mr. Rubio added.
Meanwhile, the drop in electricity demand throughout the country upon the implementation of the ECQ due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the power firm’s revenue targets for 2020.
As businesses started to slowly return in operations after temporarily closing, the company saw a cause for optimism as there has been a slight increase in power demand.
“We’re seeing [an] uptick in demand, mainly brought about by some return to normalcy in some businesses that we are seeing, and increase in temperature,” Mr. Rubio noted.
Recently, the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission posted their advisories, which task energy stakeholders to provide a grace period in the payments of electricity bills and allow these to be paid in four installments in the next four billing months starting mid-May.
“We initially adjust[ed] our collection targets downwards to reflect these advisories,” Mr. Rubio said. “But good news, we are seeing more collection than initially forecasted, and we hope that this continues,” he added.
On Monday, shares in AboitizPower increased by 2.45% to close at P27.20 apiece. — Adam J. Ang
Meralco power purchase falls below minimum, cites ECQ
By: Ronnel W. Domingo - 04:06 AM April 28, 2020
https://business.inquirer.net/295909/meralco-power-purchase-falls-below-minimum-cites-ecq
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has invoked force majeure for the distribution giant to not pay for the power that it contracted with suppliers but did not take in due to a steep drop in demand amid the COVID-19 crisis.
If the take-or-pay provisions with some of Meralco’s contracts were observed, the company’s customers will see this pass-on cost in their monthly bills.
Even then, in the first quarter of 2020, Meralco’s consolidated core net income rose by 2 percent to P5.7 billion compared with P5.6 billion in the first quarter of 2019.
Meralco’s latest quarterly report shows that, across its franchise areas, which represents about 70 percent of total national electricity consumption, peak demand during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)—which has been on since mid-March—“dropped by almost 40 percent to a low of 4,516 megawatts in March 2020 and further to 4,289 MW in April.
Meralco officials said the drop in demand during the ECQ resulted in the company taking up less than the minimum volume contracted. INQ
https://business.inquirer.net/295909/meralco-power-purchase-falls-below-minimum-cites-ecq
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has invoked force majeure for the distribution giant to not pay for the power that it contracted with suppliers but did not take in due to a steep drop in demand amid the COVID-19 crisis.
If the take-or-pay provisions with some of Meralco’s contracts were observed, the company’s customers will see this pass-on cost in their monthly bills.
Even then, in the first quarter of 2020, Meralco’s consolidated core net income rose by 2 percent to P5.7 billion compared with P5.6 billion in the first quarter of 2019.
Meralco’s latest quarterly report shows that, across its franchise areas, which represents about 70 percent of total national electricity consumption, peak demand during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)—which has been on since mid-March—“dropped by almost 40 percent to a low of 4,516 megawatts in March 2020 and further to 4,289 MW in April.
Meralco officials said the drop in demand during the ECQ resulted in the company taking up less than the minimum volume contracted. INQ
Monday, April 27, 2020
Modified electric service disconnection policy set
Updated April 27, 2020, 8:09 AM By Myrna M. Velasco
https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/04/26/modified-electric-service-disconnection-policy-set/
The Department of Energy (DOE) is modifying its policy on the disconnection of electricity services between suppliers to the load networks of power utilities
In a draft circular of the department, it fleshed out the rules and parameters on when disconnection of power services shall be enforced either by electricity suppliers like the generation companies (GenCos) or state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM); the transmission operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP); the administrator of the feed-in-tariff allowance (FIT-All) collections National Transmission Corporation (TransCo); as well as the operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
The power disconnection will be implemented at the level of the front-lining distribution utilities, to include the electric cooperatives. This policy will be similarly applicable to directly connected customers, which are primarily industrial and commercial end-users.
It has been specified that “the DOE or the ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission) may recommend the disconnection of electric power industry participants,” that are found to be in breach of proposed industry rules.
A major reason for electricity service disconnection, as stipulated in the proposed DOE rules, shall be non-payment of financial obligations within prescribed period – and this is applicable across the industry chain from the GenCos and PSALM; to NGCP; TransCo or the WESM operator.
Additionally for WESM, it was stated that non-registration within 15 days after the prescribed testing and commissioning of power facilities and without valid certification from the ERC shall be a valid ground for service disconnection.
At the same time, power service may be severed upon suspension and de-registration as a WESM member by trading participants like the GenCos; or if the GenCo-trading participant would fail in complying with the mandated submission of forecast output “with respect to must-dispatch generating units over a period of 30 days.”
Further, the failure of a distribution utility or directly connected customer to register as an indirect WESM member upon termination or expiration of its power supply agreement (PSA) with a GenCo shall likewise be a legal basis for service cut-off.
For NGCP as system operator, aside from non-payment of financial obligations, the transmission firm may disconnect a customer if it refuses to be accorded with metering services by a WESM-authorized provider.
In the case of PSALM, non-compliance of an off-taker (ca¬pacity buyer) on its financial payments as well as on the terms of the PSA could merit supply termination. Another ground for service stoppage would be non-remittance of universal charges (UC) collections.
On the part of TransCo, it can cut-off any power industry player in the supply chain if it fails in remitting FIT-All collections for at least two successive billing periods.
The DOE rules prescribe that “any attempt to obstruct the disconnection process, such as political intervention, should be avoided with the objective of mutually addressing the welfare of disconnected entities and the competitiveness of WESM.”
It was emphasized that prior to the request for service disconnection, “all remedies available, including disputes, should have already been exhausted.”
https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/04/26/modified-electric-service-disconnection-policy-set/
The Department of Energy (DOE) is modifying its policy on the disconnection of electricity services between suppliers to the load networks of power utilities
In a draft circular of the department, it fleshed out the rules and parameters on when disconnection of power services shall be enforced either by electricity suppliers like the generation companies (GenCos) or state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM); the transmission operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP); the administrator of the feed-in-tariff allowance (FIT-All) collections National Transmission Corporation (TransCo); as well as the operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
The power disconnection will be implemented at the level of the front-lining distribution utilities, to include the electric cooperatives. This policy will be similarly applicable to directly connected customers, which are primarily industrial and commercial end-users.
It has been specified that “the DOE or the ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission) may recommend the disconnection of electric power industry participants,” that are found to be in breach of proposed industry rules.
A major reason for electricity service disconnection, as stipulated in the proposed DOE rules, shall be non-payment of financial obligations within prescribed period – and this is applicable across the industry chain from the GenCos and PSALM; to NGCP; TransCo or the WESM operator.
Additionally for WESM, it was stated that non-registration within 15 days after the prescribed testing and commissioning of power facilities and without valid certification from the ERC shall be a valid ground for service disconnection.
At the same time, power service may be severed upon suspension and de-registration as a WESM member by trading participants like the GenCos; or if the GenCo-trading participant would fail in complying with the mandated submission of forecast output “with respect to must-dispatch generating units over a period of 30 days.”
Further, the failure of a distribution utility or directly connected customer to register as an indirect WESM member upon termination or expiration of its power supply agreement (PSA) with a GenCo shall likewise be a legal basis for service cut-off.
For NGCP as system operator, aside from non-payment of financial obligations, the transmission firm may disconnect a customer if it refuses to be accorded with metering services by a WESM-authorized provider.
In the case of PSALM, non-compliance of an off-taker (ca¬pacity buyer) on its financial payments as well as on the terms of the PSA could merit supply termination. Another ground for service stoppage would be non-remittance of universal charges (UC) collections.
On the part of TransCo, it can cut-off any power industry player in the supply chain if it fails in remitting FIT-All collections for at least two successive billing periods.
The DOE rules prescribe that “any attempt to obstruct the disconnection process, such as political intervention, should be avoided with the objective of mutually addressing the welfare of disconnected entities and the competitiveness of WESM.”
It was emphasized that prior to the request for service disconnection, “all remedies available, including disputes, should have already been exhausted.”
EDC program aids communities
By
Rizal Raoul Reyes - April 27, 2020
Lopez-led Energy
Development Corp. (EDC) said is addressing the the livelihood and environmental
concerns of local communities via its 30-year-old Baslay coffee program.
Allan
Barcena, head of EDC’s corporate social responsibility-public relations group,
said the initiative has transformed slash-and-burn farmers in the mountains of
Baslay in Dauin, Negros Oriental into forest stewards.
The
company said it was able to do so by providing them alternative and lucrative
coffee farming livelihood, effectively turning them away from their former
environmentally destructive practices.
“We
believe that just as important as the implementation and positive impact of our
various CSR and stakeholder relations programs is the way they are
communicated,” said Barcena a statement.
Meanwhile,
EDC recently bagged top Grand Anvil prize at the 55th Anvil Awards of the
Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), along with 12 other
trophies for communication excellence in its PR, marketing, stakeholder
engagement, and sustainability programs.
EDC’s
entry “Baslay Coffee: Brewing a Better Life for Kaingeros” received a Gold
Anvil and was subsequently deemed the most outstanding among all other
recipients, thus earning it the highest Grand Anvil distinction.
The
Anvil Awards is the annual prestigious event of the Philippine public relations
industry that recognizes exemplary, effective and innovative PR and
communications programs and tools by companies, organizations and agencies.
EDC
also won various other Gold and Silver Anvils in both PR program and PR tool
categories for its projects such as the Positive Energy Negros Facebook page,
the #MaketheShift geothermal energy advocacy, BINHI national greening legacy
program, GeoSkwela youth dialogue on sustainability, OMGeo eco-tourism vlog
series, and CSR initiatives under the Mt. Apo Foundation Inc. (MAFI) as well as
the organization’s 25th anniversary coffee table book.
March WESM settlement price drops to ₱2.47/kwh
Updated April 26, 2020, 9:48 AM By Myrna M. Velasco
https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/04/25/march-wesm-settlement-price-drops-to-%e2%82%b12-47kwh/
The effective settlement price in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) dropped to ₱2.47 per kilowatt hour (kwh) in March, which was 28.4-percent lower compared to the ₱3.45 per kwh in February.
WESM operator Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) said the plunge in the average power spot price had been due to the overall demand contraction in the last supply month because of the coronavirus-linked enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that decimated economic activities in the country.
“The total energy and reserve requirements started to drop significantly as demand consumption from industrial facilities and commercial establishments tapered off at its onset,” the spot market operator said.
On the whole, it was noted that system demand in Luzon and Visayas grids went down by 19.8-percent or an average of 2,350 megawatts compared to pre-ECQ level.
IEMOP further noted there had been continued lower market prices until April 15 this year – which should have been the initial lapse of the ECQ enforcement. Then that was first extended until April 30; and subsequently stretched anew to May 15.
“For the first half of April, prices ranged from ₱0.0 per kWh to ₱2.973 per kWh as the total demand for the Luzon and Visayas grids averaged only at 9,541MW while generation supply averaged at an ample level of 13,911MW – over 4,300W supply margin,” the WESM operator said.
IEMOP similarly highlighted “a new trend in the demand profile was even observed wherein spot prices were mostly higher during the night as opposed to the afternoon.”
Essentially, it was indicated that “the lower spot market prices were reflected in the March 2020 billing period for the electricity volumes bought from WESM,” and it will be the same expectation for the April supply month when passed on in the electric bills this May.
“During the first half of April, spot market volume reduced to an estimated 10.98-percent of the total energy requirement most likely due to further reduction of energy consumption in the grid during the Holy Week,” IEMOP stressed.
The operating entity of the spot market qualified that prices will likely revert to uptrend once the ECQ is lifted; and when some portions of the Philippine economy will already re-open.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/04/25/march-wesm-settlement-price-drops-to-%e2%82%b12-47kwh/
The effective settlement price in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) dropped to ₱2.47 per kilowatt hour (kwh) in March, which was 28.4-percent lower compared to the ₱3.45 per kwh in February.
WESM operator Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) said the plunge in the average power spot price had been due to the overall demand contraction in the last supply month because of the coronavirus-linked enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that decimated economic activities in the country.
“The total energy and reserve requirements started to drop significantly as demand consumption from industrial facilities and commercial establishments tapered off at its onset,” the spot market operator said.
On the whole, it was noted that system demand in Luzon and Visayas grids went down by 19.8-percent or an average of 2,350 megawatts compared to pre-ECQ level.
IEMOP further noted there had been continued lower market prices until April 15 this year – which should have been the initial lapse of the ECQ enforcement. Then that was first extended until April 30; and subsequently stretched anew to May 15.
“For the first half of April, prices ranged from ₱0.0 per kWh to ₱2.973 per kWh as the total demand for the Luzon and Visayas grids averaged only at 9,541MW while generation supply averaged at an ample level of 13,911MW – over 4,300W supply margin,” the WESM operator said.
IEMOP similarly highlighted “a new trend in the demand profile was even observed wherein spot prices were mostly higher during the night as opposed to the afternoon.”
Essentially, it was indicated that “the lower spot market prices were reflected in the March 2020 billing period for the electricity volumes bought from WESM,” and it will be the same expectation for the April supply month when passed on in the electric bills this May.
“During the first half of April, spot market volume reduced to an estimated 10.98-percent of the total energy requirement most likely due to further reduction of energy consumption in the grid during the Holy Week,” IEMOP stressed.
The operating entity of the spot market qualified that prices will likely revert to uptrend once the ECQ is lifted; and when some portions of the Philippine economy will already re-open.
10% of gas stations shut down, says Cusi
posted April 26, 2020 at 07:50 pm by Alena Mae S. Flores
About 10
percent of the country’s 9,400 gasoline stations were forced to shut down due
to low demand amid the enhanced community quarantine.
“The
retailers, at least 10 percent of them in areas where there are no people
passing by because of the ECQ, they don’t fuel up and buy so it is better
commercially that they shut down for now,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said
over the weekend.
“Around
10 percent of retailers as reported by the players are on shutdown,” Cusi said.
Despite
the shutdown, Cusi said the oil companies committed to serve their customers.
“The gas
stations will continue to provide service. We will make sure that there is
adequate supply,” the energy chief said.
Cusi said
oil prices had gone down in the international market, even reaching negative
levels.
“There is
no more storage to put the oil and it would be more expensive to stop the oil
wells. It’s like the generation companies, they have to continue operation
because it would be hard to go offline and harder to shut down and restart,”
Cusi said.
Big price cuts for diesel, kerosene products seen this week
Published April 26, 2020, 12:27 AM By Myrna Velasco
https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/04/26/big-price-cuts-for-diesel-kerosene-products-seen-this-week
https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/04/26/big-price-cuts-for-diesel-kerosene-products-seen-this-week
A rollback in the price of diesel and kerosene products will range from P1.80 to P2.00 per liter this week due to the continued steep plunge in oil prices in the world market, according to estimates of oil companies.
For gasoline products, however, the initial calculation of the industry players is a mere P0.10 to P0.30 cut per liter.
The oil companies said the estimates were based on the outcome of four-day trading in the world market, and these could still change depending on price trends as of Friday (April 24) trading.
A further crash in prices has pummeled oil markets as the benchmark WTI crude for the US market tumbled to US$15 per barrel in recent trading days, while Brent crude was at US$21 per barrel, and Dubai crude as pricing reference for the Asian market leveled at US$28 per barrel.
The crash-dive in prices would still not benefit Filipino consumers who are mostly confined in their homes in compliance to quarantine measures which has been extended until May 15 in 14 major areas in Luzon.
Oil consumption in the Philippines had dropped by roughly 60 percent since the Luzon-wide lockdown was implemented on March 17.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) signaled that global oil demand may plunge by a record 9.0 million barrels per day this year, and that figure could “erase almost a decade’s worth of growth.”
As signified by the energy think tank, “April is expected to be the bleakest month for the industry, with demand set to plummet by 29 million barrels a day compared with the same month last year.”
Extended fuel subsidy
Meanwhile, bus units participating in the government’s free ride program for health workers can still avail of free fuel at selected CleanFuel gas stations after the firms extended its fuel subsidy assistance until May 15, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Transportation Assistant Secretary for Road Transport Steve Pastor said CleanFuel will continue to provide a total of 810 liters of fuel daily for 20 buses participating in the Department’s Free Ride for Health Workers Program.
Bus units who want to avail of the fuel subsidy can fill up their tanks at CleanFuel Kamias and Pioneer branches, the DOTr said.
Pastor has commended CleanFuel for its continuous support to the program since it started to implement the subsidy assistance last April 8. The DOTr official said the aid will “greatly help bus operators to continue transport health frontliners to their various medical communities.”
“Taos-puso po ang pasasalamat ni Secretary Arthur Tugade at ng buong DOTr sa CleanFuel. Gaya po ng palaging sinasabi ng ating Kalihim, malaking tulong po ito, hindi lang sa amin, o sa mga bus operators, gayundin sa mga frontliners na aming siniserbisyuhan araw-araw,” he said.
The DOTr also partnered with oil firms Phoenix Petroleum, Petron Corporation, Seaoil Philippines, and Total Philippines for the provision of fuel subsidies to transport companies participating in the free ride program.
As of April 24, the Department already recorded a total ridership of 395,287 since the start of the free bus service on March 18 to ferry frontline health workers to different hospitals and medical facilities after the suspension of all mass transports on March 17, the start of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. (With a report from Alexandria San Juan)
For gasoline products, however, the initial calculation of the industry players is a mere P0.10 to P0.30 cut per liter.
The oil companies said the estimates were based on the outcome of four-day trading in the world market, and these could still change depending on price trends as of Friday (April 24) trading.
A further crash in prices has pummeled oil markets as the benchmark WTI crude for the US market tumbled to US$15 per barrel in recent trading days, while Brent crude was at US$21 per barrel, and Dubai crude as pricing reference for the Asian market leveled at US$28 per barrel.
The crash-dive in prices would still not benefit Filipino consumers who are mostly confined in their homes in compliance to quarantine measures which has been extended until May 15 in 14 major areas in Luzon.
Oil consumption in the Philippines had dropped by roughly 60 percent since the Luzon-wide lockdown was implemented on March 17.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) signaled that global oil demand may plunge by a record 9.0 million barrels per day this year, and that figure could “erase almost a decade’s worth of growth.”
As signified by the energy think tank, “April is expected to be the bleakest month for the industry, with demand set to plummet by 29 million barrels a day compared with the same month last year.”
Extended fuel subsidy
Meanwhile, bus units participating in the government’s free ride program for health workers can still avail of free fuel at selected CleanFuel gas stations after the firms extended its fuel subsidy assistance until May 15, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Transportation Assistant Secretary for Road Transport Steve Pastor said CleanFuel will continue to provide a total of 810 liters of fuel daily for 20 buses participating in the Department’s Free Ride for Health Workers Program.
Bus units who want to avail of the fuel subsidy can fill up their tanks at CleanFuel Kamias and Pioneer branches, the DOTr said.
Pastor has commended CleanFuel for its continuous support to the program since it started to implement the subsidy assistance last April 8. The DOTr official said the aid will “greatly help bus operators to continue transport health frontliners to their various medical communities.”
“Taos-puso po ang pasasalamat ni Secretary Arthur Tugade at ng buong DOTr sa CleanFuel. Gaya po ng palaging sinasabi ng ating Kalihim, malaking tulong po ito, hindi lang sa amin, o sa mga bus operators, gayundin sa mga frontliners na aming siniserbisyuhan araw-araw,” he said.
The DOTr also partnered with oil firms Phoenix Petroleum, Petron Corporation, Seaoil Philippines, and Total Philippines for the provision of fuel subsidies to transport companies participating in the free ride program.
As of April 24, the Department already recorded a total ridership of 395,287 since the start of the free bus service on March 18 to ferry frontline health workers to different hospitals and medical facilities after the suspension of all mass transports on March 17, the start of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. (With a report from Alexandria San Juan)
PSALM reschedules Malaya power plant auction to June
Updated April 25, 2020, 8:37 AM By Myrna M. Velasco
https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/04/24/psalm-reschedules-malaya-power-plant-auction-to-june/
For yet another round, state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) is re-scheduling to June 30 this year the sale auction for the 650-megawatt Malaya thermal power facility and its underlying plant site in Pililla, Rizal.
In an advisory to the media, the government-owned company stated that the deferment of the bidding is due to the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon because of the coronavirus health emergency.
As previously targeted, the bidding for the facility’s divestment should have been April 30; then re-scheduled to May 19; and for the third time, it was moved again to June 30 this year at 12:00 noon.
Relative to the new tendering schedule, PSALM advised interested parties that “the new deadline for the filing of a request to bid as a consortium is on May 11, 2020.”
Correspondingly, the release of Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) to qualified bidders, is slated on June 16, 2020 or “not later than seven days prior to the bid submission deadline.”
Under the Duterte administration, the Malaya plant is the single biggest asset that had been recurrently placed on the auction block – with PSALM still not finding its luck on prospective buyer that could bring it the right check.
In last year’s bidding, the highest tender it cornered was ₱1.0 billion from interested construction firm-buyer D.M. Wenceslao and Associates Inc.; but even PSALM’s attempt then for a negotiated deal with the company fell through because the offer was below the prescribed reserve price of ₱4.481 billion.
PSALM reiterated it will disclose the mini¬mum bid price to qualified bidders “immediately after securing the board’s decision on the matter.” The board of directors of PSALM is chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.
The asset-seller firm further indicated that its board “is awaiting feedback from the Commission on Audit relative to the request of PSALM to allow a discounting mechanism that would lower the minimum bid price.”
The Malaya plant was being called upon as “must run unit” (MRU) for Luzon grid during tight supply conditions; but with the Department of Energy (DOE) stating that the facility is no longer needed for this function, the next prudent step for the government will be to enforce its privatization.
The interested investors eyeing the asset have been seeing more value in the plant site, with some of them indicating that this could be turned into a real estate development or it could be aligned as a host-site for either solar or gas-fired power installations.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/04/24/psalm-reschedules-malaya-power-plant-auction-to-june/
For yet another round, state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) is re-scheduling to June 30 this year the sale auction for the 650-megawatt Malaya thermal power facility and its underlying plant site in Pililla, Rizal.
In an advisory to the media, the government-owned company stated that the deferment of the bidding is due to the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon because of the coronavirus health emergency.
As previously targeted, the bidding for the facility’s divestment should have been April 30; then re-scheduled to May 19; and for the third time, it was moved again to June 30 this year at 12:00 noon.
Relative to the new tendering schedule, PSALM advised interested parties that “the new deadline for the filing of a request to bid as a consortium is on May 11, 2020.”
Correspondingly, the release of Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) to qualified bidders, is slated on June 16, 2020 or “not later than seven days prior to the bid submission deadline.”
Under the Duterte administration, the Malaya plant is the single biggest asset that had been recurrently placed on the auction block – with PSALM still not finding its luck on prospective buyer that could bring it the right check.
In last year’s bidding, the highest tender it cornered was ₱1.0 billion from interested construction firm-buyer D.M. Wenceslao and Associates Inc.; but even PSALM’s attempt then for a negotiated deal with the company fell through because the offer was below the prescribed reserve price of ₱4.481 billion.
PSALM reiterated it will disclose the mini¬mum bid price to qualified bidders “immediately after securing the board’s decision on the matter.” The board of directors of PSALM is chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.
The asset-seller firm further indicated that its board “is awaiting feedback from the Commission on Audit relative to the request of PSALM to allow a discounting mechanism that would lower the minimum bid price.”
The Malaya plant was being called upon as “must run unit” (MRU) for Luzon grid during tight supply conditions; but with the Department of Energy (DOE) stating that the facility is no longer needed for this function, the next prudent step for the government will be to enforce its privatization.
The interested investors eyeing the asset have been seeing more value in the plant site, with some of them indicating that this could be turned into a real estate development or it could be aligned as a host-site for either solar or gas-fired power installations.
Energy, power sector workers are 'backliners' in COVID-19 fight
Meanwhile, the DOE
highlighted the critical role of all its workers — from power supply and energy
services, down to energy transmission and power distribution.
It said they are
"backliners," who are important in ensuring the continuous operations
of frontliners amid the pandemic.
"Kung
meron po tayong frontliners, meron din tayong 'backliners' na nagsisiguro na
'yun pong mga kailangan ng ating mga frontliners, katulad ng power,
transportation, eh, nabibigyan po natin ng serbisyo," Cusi
said.
[Translation: If we
have frontliners, we also have "backliners," who cater to the needs
of our frontliners, such as power, transportation.]
"Pati
'yung mga oil station po, makikita ninyo na they continue to serve; they
continue to provide the necessary services para naman po makakilos din po ang
ating mga frontliners at ating mga kababayan," he added.
[Translation: Even
those in the oil stations — they continue to serve; they continue to provide
the necessary services for the benefit of our frontliners and citizens.]
The DOE said it is
coordinating with some players of the industry to keep the health of its
workers in check.
"We
coordinate with the industry players na magsagawa rin po ng medical measures
para sa gano’n ay maprotektahan din ang health ng ating backliners,"
Cusi said.
[Translation: We
coordinate with the industry players to provide medical measures for the
protection of the health of our backliners.]
The Energy chief lauded
the service of the backliners.
"Ako’y
nagpapasalamat sa’ting energy, transmission, at distribution companies,"
he said.
Flying kites causing power outages
Published April 25, 2020, 12:20 PM By Gabriela Baron
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/04/25/flying-kites-causing-power-outages/
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has recorded 47 power outages since the start of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to kites getting entangled on power lines.
Meralco said they had to remove 260 kites every day from utility posts and power lines in Metro Manila and neighboring areas.
“We will soon get more details once the numbers have been finalized in terms of the interruptions because of kite-flying ngayong naka-lockdown tayo (during lockdown) because of the ECQ. Medyo nakakabahala na rin po ito (This is getting worrisome),” Meralco spokesperson Joel Zaldarriaga told 24 Oras.
The power outages have affected over 700 customers as well as 13 hospitals in Taguig, Tayabas, Candelaria, Masinag, Lancaster, Santa Maria, and Bacoor.
Zaldarriaga appealed to the public to refrain from flying kites.
“Wag na ho muna tayong magpalipad ng saranggola. Hindi po ito nakakatulong bagkus ay nakakaperwisyo po ito hindi lamang sa amin sa Meralco, higit sa lahat sa taumbayan na umaasa sa patuloy na serbisyo ng Meralco lalo na yung mga vital facilities tulad ng hospital,” he added.
(Please refrain from flying kites. It does not help, it creates trouble not only to us at Meralco, but mainly to the people who rely on Meralco’s continued service, especially vital facilities such as the hospital.)
Meralco said it has started coordinating with local government units for stricter monitoring of kite-flying activities near power lines.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/04/25/flying-kites-causing-power-outages/
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has recorded 47 power outages since the start of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to kites getting entangled on power lines.
Meralco said they had to remove 260 kites every day from utility posts and power lines in Metro Manila and neighboring areas.
“We will soon get more details once the numbers have been finalized in terms of the interruptions because of kite-flying ngayong naka-lockdown tayo (during lockdown) because of the ECQ. Medyo nakakabahala na rin po ito (This is getting worrisome),” Meralco spokesperson Joel Zaldarriaga told 24 Oras.
The power outages have affected over 700 customers as well as 13 hospitals in Taguig, Tayabas, Candelaria, Masinag, Lancaster, Santa Maria, and Bacoor.
Zaldarriaga appealed to the public to refrain from flying kites.
“Wag na ho muna tayong magpalipad ng saranggola. Hindi po ito nakakatulong bagkus ay nakakaperwisyo po ito hindi lamang sa amin sa Meralco, higit sa lahat sa taumbayan na umaasa sa patuloy na serbisyo ng Meralco lalo na yung mga vital facilities tulad ng hospital,” he added.
(Please refrain from flying kites. It does not help, it creates trouble not only to us at Meralco, but mainly to the people who rely on Meralco’s continued service, especially vital facilities such as the hospital.)
Meralco said it has started coordinating with local government units for stricter monitoring of kite-flying activities near power lines.
DOE assures enough power, oil supply as lockdown extended in some areas
ABS-CBN News Posted at Apr 25 2020 12:08 PM
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/04/25/20/doe-assures-enough-power-oil-supply-as-lockdown-extended-in-some-areas
MANILA - The government has assured the public that there is enough power and oil supply as the country continued to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
At the "Laging Handa" press briefing Saturday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said having enough supply of electricity and petroleum is vital in the fight against coronavirus.
"[Mayroon tayong] dire-diretsong suplay ng kuryente at oil dahil ito ang nagbibigay ng power para makapaglingkod ang frontliners sa pagsimula pa lang nitong lockdown o ECQ," Cusi said.
(We have continued supply of electricity and oil because this has been giving power to frontliners to serve from the start of this lockdown or ECQ [enhanced community quarantine].)
Millions in Luzon have been told to stay in their homes under the Luzon-wide quarantine, expected to drive up electricity consumption as many also shifted to working from home.
The demand for oil has, meanwhile, declined with public transport suspended and the use of private vehicles restricted only to supply runs.
The ECQ, set to end on April 30 in Luzon, has been extended in several areas until May 15, including Metro Manila, where most of the country's coronavirus cases have been recorded.
Cusi said there is enough energy supply for the demand, adding that health and safety protocols are being observed in plants to prevent infection among staff.
"Imagine sa isang planta ng generation andiyan po ang tao, andiyan lahat... operator, engineer andiyan po sila lahat and we want to make sure na wala silang magkasakit," Cusi said.
(Imagine in one plant for generation, there are staff members, operators, and engineers, and we want to make sure that no one will get sick.)
Gasoline stations would, meanwhile, continue to operate with enough supply to keep them going. About 10 percent of oil retailers- those located in areas where few people pass- have been closed amid the slump in demand, the energy chief said.
"Sa mga gas station, tuloy-tuloy ang pagseserbisyo niyan at pagbibigay ng produkto, sinisigurado ng gobyerno na magkakaroon ng sapat na suplay," Cusi said.
(The government assures the public that gas stations will have enough supply to continue to provide service to the public.)
Lockdowns worldwide have cut down the demand for fuel, prompting a plunge in oil prices globally.
Gas prices have also dropped in the Philippines, as some parts of the country, particularly Luzon, were put on lockdown from March 17 in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.
Cusi said the government has expedited deliveries of oil-based products, amid reports of delays in deliveries because of quarantine checkpoints, Cusi assured.
"We have to make sure we have enough petroleum products. Nagkaroon kami sa una ng problema dahil naaantala ang delivery kaya naayos na (At first we experienced problems due to delivery delays but now, we've sorted it out.)," Cusi said.
As of April 24, the Philippines has logged 7,192 coronavirus cases. Around 762 were recorded to have recovered from the illness, while 477 have died.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/04/25/20/doe-assures-enough-power-oil-supply-as-lockdown-extended-in-some-areas
MANILA - The government has assured the public that there is enough power and oil supply as the country continued to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
At the "Laging Handa" press briefing Saturday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said having enough supply of electricity and petroleum is vital in the fight against coronavirus.
"[Mayroon tayong] dire-diretsong suplay ng kuryente at oil dahil ito ang nagbibigay ng power para makapaglingkod ang frontliners sa pagsimula pa lang nitong lockdown o ECQ," Cusi said.
(We have continued supply of electricity and oil because this has been giving power to frontliners to serve from the start of this lockdown or ECQ [enhanced community quarantine].)
Millions in Luzon have been told to stay in their homes under the Luzon-wide quarantine, expected to drive up electricity consumption as many also shifted to working from home.
The demand for oil has, meanwhile, declined with public transport suspended and the use of private vehicles restricted only to supply runs.
The ECQ, set to end on April 30 in Luzon, has been extended in several areas until May 15, including Metro Manila, where most of the country's coronavirus cases have been recorded.
Cusi said there is enough energy supply for the demand, adding that health and safety protocols are being observed in plants to prevent infection among staff.
"Imagine sa isang planta ng generation andiyan po ang tao, andiyan lahat... operator, engineer andiyan po sila lahat and we want to make sure na wala silang magkasakit," Cusi said.
(Imagine in one plant for generation, there are staff members, operators, and engineers, and we want to make sure that no one will get sick.)
Gasoline stations would, meanwhile, continue to operate with enough supply to keep them going. About 10 percent of oil retailers- those located in areas where few people pass- have been closed amid the slump in demand, the energy chief said.
"Sa mga gas station, tuloy-tuloy ang pagseserbisyo niyan at pagbibigay ng produkto, sinisigurado ng gobyerno na magkakaroon ng sapat na suplay," Cusi said.
(The government assures the public that gas stations will have enough supply to continue to provide service to the public.)
Lockdowns worldwide have cut down the demand for fuel, prompting a plunge in oil prices globally.
Gas prices have also dropped in the Philippines, as some parts of the country, particularly Luzon, were put on lockdown from March 17 in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.
Cusi said the government has expedited deliveries of oil-based products, amid reports of delays in deliveries because of quarantine checkpoints, Cusi assured.
"We have to make sure we have enough petroleum products. Nagkaroon kami sa una ng problema dahil naaantala ang delivery kaya naayos na (At first we experienced problems due to delivery delays but now, we've sorted it out.)," Cusi said.
As of April 24, the Philippines has logged 7,192 coronavirus cases. Around 762 were recorded to have recovered from the illness, while 477 have died.
Ayala commits to growing RE assets
By Jordeene B. Lagare April 25, 2020
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/04/25/business/green-business/ayala-commits-to-growing-re-assets/718538/
THE Ayala Group, through its power arm AC Energy Philippines Inc. (ACEPH), is helping to usher in a new era of low-carbon electricity by joining other major companies that are investing in nonconventional energy sources.
This Sept. 27, 2019 photo shows Fernando Zobel de Ayala speaking at the Ayala-University of the Philippines School of Economics Forum: Mangroves and Tourism in
the Philippines: Does Any “Juan” Care. PHOTO FROM THE AYALA CORP.
“We are making a commitment to transition to a lower carbon portfolio by rebalancing our generation portfolio to grow our renewable energy (RE) assets,” ACEPH Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala said during the listed firm’s virtual annual stockholders meeting earlier this week.
AC Energy Inc., the parent firm of ACEPH, recently launched its environment and social policy that is anchored on three pillars: excellence in environmental management; commitment to the community; and transitioning to a low-carbon portfolio by 2030.
With the new blueprint in place, ACEPH President and Chief Executive Officer Eric Francia said the company intends to fully divest from coal-fired power plants while bolstering its renewable energy (RE) investments here and abroad.
“We will continue to expand and diversify our generation capacity and will target to exceed 1,500 megawatts (MW) of capacity by 2020 and significantly increase our renewables capacity,” he said.
Francia said the Ayala energy unit is targeting to exceed 1,500 MW of capacity this year from 1,100 MW. This, as around 700 MW new capacity has been added to ACEPH’s portfolio, of which 60 percent was from renewables.
“ACEPH will now focus on renewable investments and we will not be making additional investments in coal plants. The company, however, remains open to thermal technologies such as gas or diesel-fired power plants that compliment our renewable assets and developments,” he added.
Last year, AC Energy ceded its stake in the 552-MW coal-fired power plant in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte after transferring its indirect ownership interest to Power Partners Ltd. Co., in line with its move to rebalance its portfolio and to achieve its target of at least 5 gigawatts (GW) of RE attributable capacity by 2025.
Ayala Corp.’s power business sold to Aboitiz Power Corp. its 60 percent economic stake and 49 percent voting stake in AA Thermal Inc., which holds ownership interest in the 632-MW coal plant of GNPower Mariveles Coal Plant Ltd. Co. and the 1,336-MW supercritical coal plant project of GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co., both in Bataan.
Meanwhile, Francia said ACEPH is exploring whether it is feasible to transition South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp.’s (SLTEC) feedstock to biomass. SLTEC owns and operates a 270-MW coal-fired power plant in Calaca, Batangas.
“It is also open to considering bringing in a partner and reducing its stake in the coal plant consistent with the company’s transition to a low carbon portfolio and coal divestment by 2030,” he added.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/04/25/business/green-business/ayala-commits-to-growing-re-assets/718538/
THE Ayala Group, through its power arm AC Energy Philippines Inc. (ACEPH), is helping to usher in a new era of low-carbon electricity by joining other major companies that are investing in nonconventional energy sources.
This Sept. 27, 2019 photo shows Fernando Zobel de Ayala speaking at the Ayala-University of the Philippines School of Economics Forum: Mangroves and Tourism in
the Philippines: Does Any “Juan” Care. PHOTO FROM THE AYALA CORP.
“We are making a commitment to transition to a lower carbon portfolio by rebalancing our generation portfolio to grow our renewable energy (RE) assets,” ACEPH Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala said during the listed firm’s virtual annual stockholders meeting earlier this week.
AC Energy Inc., the parent firm of ACEPH, recently launched its environment and social policy that is anchored on three pillars: excellence in environmental management; commitment to the community; and transitioning to a low-carbon portfolio by 2030.
With the new blueprint in place, ACEPH President and Chief Executive Officer Eric Francia said the company intends to fully divest from coal-fired power plants while bolstering its renewable energy (RE) investments here and abroad.
“We will continue to expand and diversify our generation capacity and will target to exceed 1,500 megawatts (MW) of capacity by 2020 and significantly increase our renewables capacity,” he said.
Francia said the Ayala energy unit is targeting to exceed 1,500 MW of capacity this year from 1,100 MW. This, as around 700 MW new capacity has been added to ACEPH’s portfolio, of which 60 percent was from renewables.
“ACEPH will now focus on renewable investments and we will not be making additional investments in coal plants. The company, however, remains open to thermal technologies such as gas or diesel-fired power plants that compliment our renewable assets and developments,” he added.
Last year, AC Energy ceded its stake in the 552-MW coal-fired power plant in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte after transferring its indirect ownership interest to Power Partners Ltd. Co., in line with its move to rebalance its portfolio and to achieve its target of at least 5 gigawatts (GW) of RE attributable capacity by 2025.
Ayala Corp.’s power business sold to Aboitiz Power Corp. its 60 percent economic stake and 49 percent voting stake in AA Thermal Inc., which holds ownership interest in the 632-MW coal plant of GNPower Mariveles Coal Plant Ltd. Co. and the 1,336-MW supercritical coal plant project of GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co., both in Bataan.
Meanwhile, Francia said ACEPH is exploring whether it is feasible to transition South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp.’s (SLTEC) feedstock to biomass. SLTEC owns and operates a 270-MW coal-fired power plant in Calaca, Batangas.
“It is also open to considering bringing in a partner and reducing its stake in the coal plant consistent with the company’s transition to a low carbon portfolio and coal divestment by 2030,” he added.
Accelerated shift to renewable energy pushed
04:26 AM April 25, 2020
https://business.inquirer.net/295685/accelerated-shift-to-renewable-energy-pushed
Investing in renewable energy can support a global economic recovery that would be resilient to extraordinary circumstances and inclusive, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).
The Abu Dhabi-based think tank said in a new report advancing the renewables-based energy shift was an opportunity to meet international climate goals while boosting economic growth, creating millions of jobs and improving human welfare by 2050.
Irena’s Global Renewables Outlook report suggests that, in the next three decades, shifting the energy system toward decarbonization could boost cumulative global gross domestic product gains above a business-as-usual scenario by $98 trillion.
Also, moving away from fossil fuels would nearly quadruple renewable energy jobs to 42 million, expand employment in energy efficiency to 21 million and add 15 million in system flexibility.
“Governments are facing a difficult task of bringing the health emergency under control while introducing major stimulus and recovery measures,” Irena’s director general Francesco La Camera said. “The crisis has exposed deeply embedded vulnerabilities of the current system.”
La Camera said Irena’s outlook shows the ways to build more sustainable, equitable and resilient economies by aligning short-term recovery efforts with the medium- and long-term objectives of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Agenda.
“By accelerating renewables and making the energy transition an integral part of the wider recovery, governments can achieve multiple economic and social objectives in the pursuit of a resilient future that leaves nobody behind,” he said. —RONNEL W. DOMINGO
https://business.inquirer.net/295685/accelerated-shift-to-renewable-energy-pushed
Investing in renewable energy can support a global economic recovery that would be resilient to extraordinary circumstances and inclusive, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).
The Abu Dhabi-based think tank said in a new report advancing the renewables-based energy shift was an opportunity to meet international climate goals while boosting economic growth, creating millions of jobs and improving human welfare by 2050.
Irena’s Global Renewables Outlook report suggests that, in the next three decades, shifting the energy system toward decarbonization could boost cumulative global gross domestic product gains above a business-as-usual scenario by $98 trillion.
Also, moving away from fossil fuels would nearly quadruple renewable energy jobs to 42 million, expand employment in energy efficiency to 21 million and add 15 million in system flexibility.
“Governments are facing a difficult task of bringing the health emergency under control while introducing major stimulus and recovery measures,” Irena’s director general Francesco La Camera said. “The crisis has exposed deeply embedded vulnerabilities of the current system.”
La Camera said Irena’s outlook shows the ways to build more sustainable, equitable and resilient economies by aligning short-term recovery efforts with the medium- and long-term objectives of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Agenda.
“By accelerating renewables and making the energy transition an integral part of the wider recovery, governments can achieve multiple economic and social objectives in the pursuit of a resilient future that leaves nobody behind,” he said. —RONNEL W. DOMINGO
PSALM remits P46M to LGUs as revenue share
05:28 AM April 24, 2020
As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) remitted to
several local governments units (LGUs) a total of P46 million, representing
their share in first-quarter revenues as hosts of renewable energy-based power
plants.
The LGUs of Benguet, Bukidnon, Laguna, Lanao del Norte,
Lanao del Sur and Pangasinan were given their revenue share through bank
transfers. —Ronnel W. Domingo
Philreca: SPSB hikes power rates by 125%
By Jordeene B. Lagare April 24, 2020
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/04/24/business/philreca-spsb-hikes-power-rates-by-125/717962/
A group of electric cooperatives claimed that Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. (SPSB) levied a 125-percent surge in electricity rates to its customers in Paluan town, Occidental Mindoro province, contrary to its promise of cheap electricity to the public. In a statement on Wednesday, the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (Philreca) said consumers in the municipality were charged P1,638 for a consumption of 91 kilowatts per hour (kWh). The amount was a 125-percent increase from the original P8 per kWh, it added. The group said the increase was without due process and approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission. According to Section 6 of Republic Act 11357, the franchise holder shall charge reasonable power rates as approved by the ERC for its services to all consumers. SPSB founder Leandro Leviste is yet to comment at press time. Philreca vows to reach out to government regulators to intervene in this case.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/04/24/business/philreca-spsb-hikes-power-rates-by-125/717962/
A group of electric cooperatives claimed that Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. (SPSB) levied a 125-percent surge in electricity rates to its customers in Paluan town, Occidental Mindoro province, contrary to its promise of cheap electricity to the public. In a statement on Wednesday, the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (Philreca) said consumers in the municipality were charged P1,638 for a consumption of 91 kilowatts per hour (kWh). The amount was a 125-percent increase from the original P8 per kWh, it added. The group said the increase was without due process and approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission. According to Section 6 of Republic Act 11357, the franchise holder shall charge reasonable power rates as approved by the ERC for its services to all consumers. SPSB founder Leandro Leviste is yet to comment at press time. Philreca vows to reach out to government regulators to intervene in this case.
LEGARDA SLAMS ENTRY OF CHINESE VESSELS IN SEMIRARA AMID LOCKDOWN
By Adrian
Stewart Co -Friday, April 24, 2020
Antique
lone district representative Loren Legarda seeks an explanation from the
Semirara Mining and Power Corporation about the alleged entry of Chinese
vessels to Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique amid lockdown. According to her,
there had already been seven vessels in the island since last month.
MANILA – The Semirara
Mining and Power Corporation (SMPC) should give an explanation about the
alleged entry of Chinese vessels to Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique amid the
declaration of a lockdown in the area, according to the province’s lone
district representative Loren Legarda.
Legarda said in a statement on April 22 that there had been already seven vessels since last month inspected by the Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Immigration in the island.
In January, Legarda added that she already gave a recommendation to temporarily disallow the entry of Chinese vessels in Antique.
She also questioned the legal basis of the exportation of coal during this coronavirus disease 2019 crisis.
Legarda said in a statement on April 22 that there had been already seven vessels since last month inspected by the Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Immigration in the island.
In January, Legarda added that she already gave a recommendation to temporarily disallow the entry of Chinese vessels in Antique.
She also questioned the legal basis of the exportation of coal during this coronavirus disease 2019 crisis.
“The export of coal
from Semirara to the Chinese at this time is not an essential industry. So, why
is there a need for Chinese vessels? This important question begs for an
answer. The welfare of my people is paramount,” Legarda said.
“I cannot reassure my
constituents that all measures taken are sufficient until I have all the
information I need from the company. Even the local governments are not clear
on the protocols they follow,” the former senator added.
“Both the national
government and provincial government directives did not exempt coal exports
from the restrictions. SMPC needs to show their legal basis for the
continuation of these exports to show they are not in violation of these
restrictions,” she further said.
Legarda has been
contacting the officials of SMPC for an explanation.
Earlier this week, Save
Antique Movement released photos and video footage on social media showing
ships it claimed to be Chinese vessels docking in the port of Semirara Island./PN
Electricity spot-market rate falls in March due to ECQ
By Lenie Lectura - April 23, 2020
Independent Electricity
Market Operator of the Philippines Inc. (IEMOP) reported Thursday that spot
market prices last month dropped to P2.47 per kilowatt hour (kWh), from
P3.45/kWh in February, mainly due to low demand consumption from industrial
facilities and commercial establishments.
“In light of the ECQ
[enhanced community quarantine], the total energy and reserve requirements
started to drop significantly,” it said.
This resulted in a drop
in the system energy requirement of Luzon and Visayas grids by an average of
2,350 megawatts (MW), or around 19.8 percent lower as compared to pre-ECQ
levels.
“The significant drop in demand translated to
a lower Effective Spot Settlement Price [ESSP] for customers at PP2.47/kWh for
March 2020. This ESSP is 28.4 percent lower compared to P3.45/kWh in February
2020,” it reported.
The lower spot market
prices were reflected in the March billing period for the electricity volumes
bought from the WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market). In the same month,
12.97 percent of the total energy requirement was settled at spot market
prices.
IEMOP said the spot
market prices further dropped until April 15. It added that this trend is
expected to persist until April 30.
From April 1 to 15,
IEMOP said spot market prices ranged from P0.0/kWh to P2.973/kWh, as the total
demand for the Luzon and Visayas grids averaged only 9,541 MW while generation
supply averaged at 13,911 MW.
During the first half
of April, IEMOP said spot market volume was cut to an estimated 10.98 percent
of the total energy requirement, which was likely due to the further reduction
in energy consumption during the Holy Week.
If and when the ECQ is
lifted after April 30, IEMOP said the average market prices are projected to be
P1.83/kWh for April and P6.68/kWh for May.
If the ECQ is further
extended up to May 10, IEMOP said there is still ample generation supply, but
this could result in slightly lower prices of around P4.30/kWh for May.
IEMOP also said that
there could be “restriction of coal generation by about 600 megawatts [MW]” as
a result of logistical delays in the transportation and delivery delays of coal
brought about by the ECQ.
“If this happens, power
plants utilizing available indigenous fuel [i.e., geothermal, hydro, and
natural gas] will be maximized. The result of the simulations indicates that
supply will continue to be sufficient. However, increase in market prices were
observed,” said IEMOP.
To ensure continuity of
WESM operation under ECQ, IEMOP has coordinated with the Department of Energy,
the Energy Regulatory Commission and with Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging
Infectious Diseases prior to the start of the ECQ and relayed its Business
Continuity Plan.
“The WESM continues to
operate smoothly and efficiently,” it said.
NEA’s off-grid solar project faces delay
April 23,
2020 | 12:04 am
THE
National Electrification Administration (NEA) said its off-grid solar project
to power far-flung communities faces delay as the global coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupts trade.
In a
statement on Wednesday, the agency tasked to power rural communities said the
solar photovoltaic (PV) mainstreaming project saw a delay in the delivery of
solar panels coming from China.
“The
competitive bidding process and the awarding of contracts to the successful
bidders have already been completed. We are just awaiting delivery of solar
panels, which will be coming from China,” said Ernesto O. Silvano, Jr., acting
manager of NEA’s total electrification and renewable energy development
department.
The solar
project under NEA’s expanded household electrification program seeks to cover
around 5,000 households that are deemed “unviable” for grid connection in the
next five years.
The
agency allotted P153 million for its implementation.
Households
that will benefit from the project are those in the coverage areas of five
electric cooperatives: Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Camarines
Sur IV Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Iloilo III Electric Cooperative, Inc.;
Cotabato Electric Cooperative, Inc.; and Zamboanga del Norte Electric
Cooperative, Inc.
These
power cooperatives are set to receive 5,039 solar home system units, which
provide cost-effective means to supply electricity to communities not connected
to power grids.
The
project is part of NEA’s target this year to power 775 sitios or rural
villages, as well as 38 resettlement sites by local government units.
As of
2018, there are around 19,740 unpowered sitios across the country, 1,702 of
which were classified as off-grid.
This
year, the government allotted P1.53 billion for the agency’s electrification
projects, which include its sitio electrification program.
Providing
electricity to a sitio, NEA noted, costs at least P1.5 million on average.
— Adam J. Ang
Firm sheds light on vessels docked in Semirara Island during ECQ
The Semirara Mining and Power Corporation said Tuesday its continued operations on Semirara Island in the central Philippine province of Antique is in compliance with government regulations amid measures imposed in most parts of the country to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Reacting to reports about the presence of foreign vessels near the island that raised public health concerns among some local residents, the SMPC issued a statement "to assure our stakeholders that the foreign and domestic vessels carrying coal cargo from our mine site were closely coordinated with all concerned government agencies."
"Cargo loading was also done in accordance with our strict coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols and relevant guidelines set by" government, the company said.
Stringent regulations issued by the Quarantine, Immigration and Customs bureaus were complied with to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission, it said.
Vessel crew members have also been prohibited from disembarking since February while the ships are docked in its port, SMPC added, in compliance with the "no disembarkation" policy of the municipal government of Caluya.
Some concerned residents said a number of vessels have been spotted near the island on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Firm/p12 F|RM...fromp,7 The Save Antique Movement claimed that the 'Chinese' vessels still enter the coast despite the enhanced community quarantine and border control measures in the province.
Bong Sanchez, the president of the movement, earlier told ABS-CBN News that Semirara residents are worried about the presence of the 'Chinese' ships because they know that the COVID-19 originated from China.
We understand the concerns and anxiety of our host community and other stakeholders during this unprecedented health crisis, and we are doing everything we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19," the SMPC said, without confirming whether or not the vessels are from China.
It said the company, its contractors and coal buyers strictly practice social distancing, health screening and disinfection inside its coal shipping facility.
Employees who transact directly with customers wear hazardous materials suits, N95 masks, face shields and other personal protective equipment as needed, it said.
And a nurse, a safety officer and a team of security personnel are on site to monitor and enforce the company s COVID-19 protocols, it added.
In a phone interview Tuesday, Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao told ABS-CBN News she has asked for SMPC's explanation on the presence of the vessels through a letter dated April 20.
"I want to know, was this done within the parameters of the Executive Order of the President that all borders, all airports, all piers should be closed within the enhanced community quarantine? I wrote a letter to the Semirara Mining Corporation to inquire all these things," Cadiao said.
"May Coast Guard ba na nagbabantay? Kasi parang hindi namin alam ang operations, and we feel that we have to know kung anong nangyayari diyan because of this COVID. May quarantine ba diyan kapag pumapasok ang foreign vessel na yan?
In her letter, Cadiao asked the company to verify the report reaching her office "that lately, two Chinese vessels with the Chinese crew docked at the Semirara Island, notwithstanding the state of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) therein."
She also specifically asked whether cargoes were loaded or unloaded, whether the Chinese crew had contact with local residents, who authorized the vessels to dock, and whether protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were observed.
Cadiao, during the phone interview with ABS-CBN News, said she was able to talk to a company official and asked about the possibility of suspending its operations on the island.
The official told her that the power plant's operations cannot be suspended, while its mining operations can continue with a skeletal force.
"But the mining, sabi niya we are just on operations because this is just to sustain the salaries of our employees. Tapos, sabi niya, I'm willing to make a skeletal force diyan sa may mining operation," Cadiao said.
The commander of the Coast Guard Station in Antique had earlier said that the vessels are not necessarily Chinese.
Commander Perlita Cinco said that based on her monitoring, some of the vessels came from Manila and Hong Kong.
As of Monday, four cases of COVID-19 have been recorded on Semirara Island. (ABS-CBN News)
Clean energy group hails firm for move to ditch coal
April 22, 2020 | Posted by: Tempo Desk
http://tempo.com.ph/2020/04/22/clean-energy-group-hails-firm-for-move-to-ditch-coal/
The Power for People Coalition has welcomed the announcement of the Ayala Corp. that it will fully divest itself of coal investments by 2030 and expressed its hope that other generation companies in the country will follow.
In a message to stockholders, Ayala Corp. chair Fernando Zobel de Ayala said that the corporation’s energy arm, AC Energy Philippines, is “making a commitment to transition to a lower carbon portfolio by rebalancing our generation portfolio to grow our renewable energy assets.”
“The Power for People Coalition considers the announcement of the Ayala Corp. to be a major victory in the movement against coal. AC is one of the country’s largest investors in coal and this decision shows that divesting from coal can be a sound business strategy that San Miguel, Meralco, and Aboitiz can follow,” said P4P convenor Gerry Arances.
However, the clean energy advocate cautioned against being too optimistic at this point, considering that divestment of the Ayalas might simply mean the assets will be transferred to other corporations, as it did in 2018 when it sold its coal power plants to Aboitiz.
“We should see if there will actually be an effect on the proportion of coal in the country’s energy mix. After all, Ayala can just sell its dirty investments to other companies, which will clean its portfolio but not really reduce coal emissions in the country,” said Arances.
Arances said that this is the best possible news for Earth Day, as coal remains one of the greatest sources of greenhouse gas emissions which cause global warming.
“If Ayala Corp. can make good on its promise, and it does not transfer its coal assets to other companies but rather shuts them down completely, then this is a real, tangible improvement in our coal situation. Ayala Corp. would have then made a truly significant impact in improving our environment,” said Arances.
http://tempo.com.ph/2020/04/22/clean-energy-group-hails-firm-for-move-to-ditch-coal/
The Power for People Coalition has welcomed the announcement of the Ayala Corp. that it will fully divest itself of coal investments by 2030 and expressed its hope that other generation companies in the country will follow.
In a message to stockholders, Ayala Corp. chair Fernando Zobel de Ayala said that the corporation’s energy arm, AC Energy Philippines, is “making a commitment to transition to a lower carbon portfolio by rebalancing our generation portfolio to grow our renewable energy assets.”
“The Power for People Coalition considers the announcement of the Ayala Corp. to be a major victory in the movement against coal. AC is one of the country’s largest investors in coal and this decision shows that divesting from coal can be a sound business strategy that San Miguel, Meralco, and Aboitiz can follow,” said P4P convenor Gerry Arances.
However, the clean energy advocate cautioned against being too optimistic at this point, considering that divestment of the Ayalas might simply mean the assets will be transferred to other corporations, as it did in 2018 when it sold its coal power plants to Aboitiz.
“We should see if there will actually be an effect on the proportion of coal in the country’s energy mix. After all, Ayala can just sell its dirty investments to other companies, which will clean its portfolio but not really reduce coal emissions in the country,” said Arances.
Arances said that this is the best possible news for Earth Day, as coal remains one of the greatest sources of greenhouse gas emissions which cause global warming.
“If Ayala Corp. can make good on its promise, and it does not transfer its coal assets to other companies but rather shuts them down completely, then this is a real, tangible improvement in our coal situation. Ayala Corp. would have then made a truly significant impact in improving our environment,” said Arances.
Gatchalian mulls over power sector stimulus
posted April 22, 2020 at 08:10 pm by Alena Mae S. Flores
Senator
Sherwin Gatchalian is calling for an inquiry on whether Congress needs to draw
up a financial stimulus package for the power sector to ensure reliable supply
while protecting electricity consumers.
Gatchalian,
chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, filed a resolution to determine the
short, medium and long-term effects of the enhanced community quarantine in
Luzon on the power sector and consumers.
“We have
seen that with the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine,
electricity consumption from transport, industrial and commercial activities
also went down. The continued decline in consumption may affect the country’s
energy security,” said Gatchalian in a statement.
The
lawmaker wants to look into how consumers can cope with payments of all
electricity bill obligations at the end of the ECQ.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Probe of Chinese mining ships in Semirara sought
By: Joey Gabieta, Nestor
Burgos Jr. April 22,
2020
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Antique Rep.
Loren Legarda wants a “full-blown” investigation of the “entry” of Chinese
vessels on Semirara Island in Antique province for possible violations of
health and security protocols amid the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
pandemic.
“While the coal operations in power and mines are
ongoing during lockdown, are the Chinese vessels allowed? Do they undergo
immigration, quarantine, stringent health protocols?” Legarda said in one of
her tweets on Sunday.
In a statement, Semirara Mining and Power Corp.
(SMPC) assured that docking and operation of foreign vessels on Semirara Island
were in accordance with the government’s COVID-19 protocols and done in
coordination with concerned agencies.
SMPC has been operating one of the biggest coal
mines in Asia since 1999 on Semirara, a 5,500-hectare island in Caluya town,
159 kilometers from the Antique mainland, which is accessible only by private
plane or by motorboat.
The statement said SMPC, since February, had
prohibited crew members of foreign vessels from disembarking, in compliance
with the “no disembarkation” policy enforced by the Caluya government.
All those involved in operations follow health
guidelines, including social distancing, wearing of masks and hazardous
material suits, SMPC said.
Concerned
Bong Sanchez, president of the environmental group
Save Antique Movement, said three Chinese vessels arrived in Semirara starting
April 11 after enhanced quarantine measures were implemented in the province.
One vessel left on April 17 and another on April 20, he said.“People, including
employees of the mining company, are concerned about the presence of Chinese
crew members, but they are afraid to speak out for fear of earning the ire of
the company,” Sanchez told the Inquirer.The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in
Antique was a worker, reportedly a consultant, of the mining company who
arrived on the island from Metro Manila on March 9. Three more workers, who
were in close contact with the patient, were later confirmed to be infected.
Sanchez said some residents and employees raised
alarm when the vessels continued to arrive despite border and port restrictions
when quarantine measures were implemented last month.
According to Legarda, the export of coal to China
is not essential at this time.
“So why the need for Chinese vessels? This
important question begs for an answer. The welfare of my people is paramount,”
she said.Legarda said the island must be on lockdown to protect the people, and
the mining firm and local officials must answer all these serious concerns.The
presence of a China-bound vessel on an island off Guiuan town in Eastern Samar
province also caused anxiety among its residents recently.
Daipen Montes, official of the Homonhon Environment
Rescuers Association (Hero), said that while the foreign vessel had already
left on April 18, this did not appease them.
She said the group had put on quarantine 20 men who
helped load a cargo of chromite ore on the vessel which was manned by 13
Chinese and four Myanmar citizens.
The 20 were isolated inside the compound of
Techiron Resources Inc., which secured a permit to mine chromite ore, and were
monitored by the company doctor.
ERC, energy sector deserve thanks for customer relief
April 22, 2020
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/04/22/opinion/editorial/erc-energy-sector-deserve-thanks-for-customer-relief/717057/
AS much of the country struggles to cope with the loss of income during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that has been imposed over Luzon and many other areas of the Philippines, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has risen to the occasion by offering consumers some timely and much-needed relief. Because the ERC and the electricity sector are often perceived as being inconsiderate of consumer welfare, we think their efforts deserve to be highlighted.
On April 16, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi announced that the ERC had issued an advisory directing distribution utilities and retail electricity suppliers to give a grace period to customers who have bills with due dates that fall between March 16 and April 30— the period of the ECQ in Luzon. Interest charges, late payment fees and other additional charges are also to be waived.
Besides distribution utilities and retail electricity suppliers, the order also applies to the National Power Corp., National Transmission Corp., National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (Psalm). It covers power bills and rate adjustments; fuel/resource suppliers of generating facilities, including coal, oil, steam supply and natural gas; independent power producers; universal charges as administered by Psalm; and Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines Inc. total trading amounts and other charges.
The ERC also suspended the collection of the feed-in tariff allowance (FiT-All), for renewable electricity suppliers, which will save consumers an additional P0.04 per kilowatt-hour during the ECQ period.
According to the ERC directive, the total amount of deferred bills can be collected in four monthly installments, beginning with the May billing, provided the May bill for any customer has a due date no earlier than May 15. The ERC did, however, also urge customers who are able to do so to settle their power bills before the May billing to ease the impact on the power sector.
Neither the ERC nor the Department of Energy indicated whether the billing moratorium would be extended beyond April 30 if the lockdown is extended anew, but as it is, the program must come as a wonderful surprise to electricity consumers. Households and businesses, which have seen their incomes severely reduced or disappear entirely during the ECQ and are struggling to make ends meet, can breathe a sigh of relief that they will not have to worry about their electric bills until things normalize and will not be hit with a large bill shock later.
It is worth mentioning that even before the ERC directive, many distribution utilities in ECQ-affected areas, including the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), had already made accommodations for their customers such as extending bill due dates, deferring late charges and suspending disconnections for overdue bills. Other utilities such as water distributors have also implemented similar measures to ease the burden on their customers.
It is a welcome development to see the government embracing these kinds of measures because they do offer substantial relief to consumers without requiring any government spending at all. For the companies involved, many of whom are not generally regarded favorably by the public, the effort certainly helps to improve their reputations.
The majority of the power sector is impressively profitable during normal times; thus, there should be no real worry that the industry will suffer a serious financial downturn that might put energy supplies at risk. But there are smaller distributors, mainly local cooperatives, that were operating on very thin margins, or even at a loss, before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and for these, the ERC directive may cause real difficulties. Having excellently done one part of its job to look out for consumer welfare, the ERC should follow up by carefully assessing the financial impact on these at-risk utilities and be prepared to recommend ways in which the government can help them to remain viable.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/04/22/opinion/editorial/erc-energy-sector-deserve-thanks-for-customer-relief/717057/
AS much of the country struggles to cope with the loss of income during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that has been imposed over Luzon and many other areas of the Philippines, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has risen to the occasion by offering consumers some timely and much-needed relief. Because the ERC and the electricity sector are often perceived as being inconsiderate of consumer welfare, we think their efforts deserve to be highlighted.
On April 16, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi announced that the ERC had issued an advisory directing distribution utilities and retail electricity suppliers to give a grace period to customers who have bills with due dates that fall between March 16 and April 30— the period of the ECQ in Luzon. Interest charges, late payment fees and other additional charges are also to be waived.
Besides distribution utilities and retail electricity suppliers, the order also applies to the National Power Corp., National Transmission Corp., National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (Psalm). It covers power bills and rate adjustments; fuel/resource suppliers of generating facilities, including coal, oil, steam supply and natural gas; independent power producers; universal charges as administered by Psalm; and Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines Inc. total trading amounts and other charges.
The ERC also suspended the collection of the feed-in tariff allowance (FiT-All), for renewable electricity suppliers, which will save consumers an additional P0.04 per kilowatt-hour during the ECQ period.
According to the ERC directive, the total amount of deferred bills can be collected in four monthly installments, beginning with the May billing, provided the May bill for any customer has a due date no earlier than May 15. The ERC did, however, also urge customers who are able to do so to settle their power bills before the May billing to ease the impact on the power sector.
Neither the ERC nor the Department of Energy indicated whether the billing moratorium would be extended beyond April 30 if the lockdown is extended anew, but as it is, the program must come as a wonderful surprise to electricity consumers. Households and businesses, which have seen their incomes severely reduced or disappear entirely during the ECQ and are struggling to make ends meet, can breathe a sigh of relief that they will not have to worry about their electric bills until things normalize and will not be hit with a large bill shock later.
It is worth mentioning that even before the ERC directive, many distribution utilities in ECQ-affected areas, including the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), had already made accommodations for their customers such as extending bill due dates, deferring late charges and suspending disconnections for overdue bills. Other utilities such as water distributors have also implemented similar measures to ease the burden on their customers.
It is a welcome development to see the government embracing these kinds of measures because they do offer substantial relief to consumers without requiring any government spending at all. For the companies involved, many of whom are not generally regarded favorably by the public, the effort certainly helps to improve their reputations.
The majority of the power sector is impressively profitable during normal times; thus, there should be no real worry that the industry will suffer a serious financial downturn that might put energy supplies at risk. But there are smaller distributors, mainly local cooperatives, that were operating on very thin margins, or even at a loss, before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and for these, the ERC directive may cause real difficulties. Having excellently done one part of its job to look out for consumer welfare, the ERC should follow up by carefully assessing the financial impact on these at-risk utilities and be prepared to recommend ways in which the government can help them to remain viable.
Finance, DOE sign order to cut electricity rates
posted April 21, 2020 at 08:50 pm by Alena Mae S. Flores
Finance
Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi signed a joint
circular enforcing the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No.
11371, or the “Murang Kuryente Act.”
The
move will help power consumers who were forced to stay at home, with some
losing their jobs amid the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine.
“We
are glad that the IRR has finally been signed. This gives consumers relief from
paying an estimated total additional amount of P0.86 per kilowatt-hour of
universal charge for stranded contract costs and universal charge for stranded
debt covering up to year 2024,” Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management
Corp. president and chief executive Irene Besido Garcia said.
Garcia
said households consuming 200 kWh of electricity a month will enjoy P172
monthly savings from reduced electricity rates or annual savings of P2,064.
The
implementing rules and regulations for the MKA as contained in the Finance and
Energy Department Joint Circular No. 1 were approved in consultation with the
Department of Budget and Management, Bureau of Treasury and PSALM.
The
MKA, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Aug. 8, 2019, legislates
the use of P208 billion from the Malampaya fund to pay PSALM’s SCC and stranded
debts that the agency assumed from National Power Corp.
Sections
2.4 and 9.1 of the MKA’s IRR state that no new UC for SCC and SD will be
collected upon effectivity of the IRR, while Section 9.2 provides that, “PSALM
shall not file with the ERC any new petition for UC stranded contract costs and
stranded debts until the P208 billion allocated amount under this act [MKA] is
exhausted and no other allocations are made by Congress.”
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