Published
By Myrna M. Velasco
Planned projects for
liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities had been listed by the Department of
Energy (DOE) to be among the ventures it could accommodate for energy projects
of national significance (EPNS) certification.
In an update report
issued by the Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC) on Monday (October
1), it roped in LNG projects as well as other gas infrastructure facilities as
those that could qualify for EPNS declaration.
The other projects
being enticed by the energy department are power plants; conventional oil, gas
and coal exploration and development ventures; as well as renewable energy
installations like geothermal, solar, hydropower, ocean and wind.
The department has
nevertheless excluded biomass projects with operating contracts, and not those
having service contracts.
The EPNS certification
bestowed on energy projects is underpinned by Executive Order No. 30 that was
issued by President Rodrigo Duterte June last year – aiming in particular to
lessen approval processes of key energy projects to at least 30 days.
For an energy project
to be classified as EPNS, the required capital investment shall be at least
P3.5 billion; must have contribution to the country’s economic development and
balance of payment.
At the same time, it
shall have significant impact on the environment; must have complex technical
processes and/or engineering designs; and must have significant infrastructure
requirement.
Of the 23 accepted
applications for EPNS, the DOE already granted approvals to four projects –
including the P52-billion Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project; the
US$3.0-billion Atimonan coal-fired power venture; the Kalinga geothermal power
project of the Sy Group; and the 151.2MW Talim wind power project of Island
Wind Energy Corporation.
As of Monday, the
energy department noted that it already declined two projects; while 17 more
are under evaluation.
The DOE emphasized that
it received as many as 306 EPNS applications, but 289 had already been notified
of non-compliance as to form or documentary requirements.
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