Groups ask CA to nullify Meralco-EERI power deal over alleged P932M double collection

Multisectoral groups have asked the Court of Appeals to nullify the Energy Regulatory Commission's (ERC) approval of a 1,200-megawatt power supply agreement (PSA) between Meralco and Excellent Energy Resources, Inc. (EERI).

The petition alleges that the ERC acted with grave abuse of discretion by allowing EERI to collect P932 million for the connection of its point-to-point assets twice.

Petitioners claim EERI would collect these costs once from Meralco's consumers and again from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which would pass the cost to all grid consumers.

Led by Gerry Arances, convenor of the Power for People Coalition, the groups are urging the appellate court to annul the ERC's decision on December 10, 2024, that granted final authority to the agreement.

The groups argue that consumers are already struggling with high electricity bills, and this agreement enables a "billion-peso abuse against consumers."