ERC to decide on NGCP capex proposals this month

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) aims to release decisions on pending capital expenditure (capex) proposals from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) within the current month.

ERC Chairperson and CEO Francis Saturnino C. Juan stated that they are prioritizing these approvals, especially those not covered in the NGCP's fourth regulatory period but potentially included in the fifth.

The Department of Energy's letter highlighting the criticality of NGCP's capex projects prompted the ERC's prioritization.

The NGCP, mandated by its 50-year franchise, requires ERC approval for all its transmission system and related facility projects, as per Republic Act No. 9136.

The ERC has finalized the NGCP's fourth regulatory period (2015-2022) and is now working on the fifth period (2023-2027).

Previously, the NGCP was permitted to recover an additional P28.29 billion in under-recoveries.

Last year, the NGCP announced plans to invest P600 billion in over 100 capex projects.