EPNS status granted to LNG projects

By Lenie Lectura November 9, 2020
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/11/09/epns-status-granted-to-lng-projects/

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects of Texas-based Excelerate Energy L.P. and Batangas Clean Energy, Inc. of the LT Group were recently declared by the Energy Investment Coordinating Council through the Department of Energy (DOE) as “Energy Project of National Significance” (EPNS).

Excelerate’s LNG import terminal off Batangas Bay would come online in the second quarter of 2022. The executive president of Excelerate’s local partner, Topline Energy, said construction of its proposed open-access LNG import terminal may cost $230 million.

It is set to submit to the DOE an application for a Permit to Construct, Expand, Rehabilitate and Modify its proposed LNG facility.

Meanwhile, Lucio Tan’s group secured 2 EPNS for its proposed 1,100megawatt (MW) gas power plant and its LNG import facility with a capacity of 3 million tons per annum.

Batangas Clean Energy may spend P37.553 billion for the entire project to be put up at Pinamucan Ibaba in Batangas City and ready to go online possibly in the first quarter of 2025.

The proponent firm will be undertaking the project with American firm Gen X Energy, which is affiliated with private equity firm The Blackstone Group.

Two other LNG players—Australian firm Energy World Corp. and Lopez-led First Gen LNG Corp.—have already secured their EPNS certificates.

The DOE also issued an EPNS permit to Bac-Man Geothermal, Inc., a subsidiary of Energy Development Corp. of the Lopez group, for its Bac-Man expansion project.

The four EPNS were issued last October 30.

The type of EPNS certificates issued Batangas Clean Energy and Excelerate were tagged as “Commerciality” while that of BGI was labeled as “Pre-Development Phase.”

Out of the 393 EPNS applications, 149 were certified as EPNS, 139 were denied, 76 failed to comply with the necessary requirements and 35 applications are still under evaluation.

The total estimated investment cost for the 149 issued CEPNS amount to P794.52 billion, according to the latest data of the DOE dated November 6 this year.

EPNS are significant energy projects for power generation, transmission, and/or ancillary services including those required to maintain grid stability and security, and which are in consonance with the policy thrusts and specific goals of the DOE’s Philippine Energy Plan.

The issuance of EPNS certificates is stipulated under Executive Order 30, which states that concerned government agencies shall act upon applications for permits not exceeding within a 30-day period. If no decision is made within the specified processing timeframe, the application is deemed approved by the concerned agency.