DOE wants Pinoys to tap renewable-energy sources

ByLenie Lectura - May 22, 2018
https://businessmirror.com.ph/doe-wants-pinoys-to-tap-renewable-energy-sources/

The Department of Energy (DOE) is soliciting comments from industry stakeholders on a proposed policy that allows consumers to choose renewable energy (RE) as their source of power.

“The Department of Energy is hereby requesting all interested parties to submit their comments on the draft circular on GEOP [Green Energy Option Program]. The deadline for submission of comments is on or before May 28,” the agency said in a notice posted on its web site.

The proposed circular considers various options for end-users to contribute in the development and utilization of RE resources in the most “cost efficient and sustainable manner.”

Under the GEOP, electricity consumers with a monthly average peak demand of 100 kilowatt (kW) and above, for the past 12 months may opt to participate in the program.

Those with average peak demand below 100 kW may participate in the GEOP after the DOE, in consultation with the National Renewable Energy Board and industry stakeholders, determines the readiness of the market and that the technical requirements and standards are already met.

The program is voluntary. As such, consumers may opt to not avail of the GEOP, participate in the GEOP through its distribution utility (DU), or directly contract with a supplier of RE.

The proposed rules also said that an end-user that opted to contract with am RE supplier may revert to be supplied by the DU, subject to conditions. The DOE will also allow an end-user who reverted to being supplied by the DU to go back to the GEOP.

If the end-user GEOP participant will revert to being a captive customer, the end-user shall inform the DU at least three months prior to the expiration of the GEOP contract with its RE supplier.

The DOE was mandated by Republic Act 9513, or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, to establish a Green Energy Option program and provide end-users with the power to choose RE as their source of electricity.

“Chapter III of the EPIRA mandates the DOE to encourage private sector investments in the electricity sector and promote the development of indigenous and RE resources,” said the DOE.

Likewise, RA 9513 provides that all stakeholders should contribute to the growth of the country’s RE industry.

Public consultations were conducted nationwide prior to the release of the proposed GEOP rules.