DOE to NGCP: Ensure adequate power supply
MANILA -The Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday said it would not intervene in the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) denial of a request for the extension of ancillary service contracts filed by National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), saying the latter should live up to its responsibility of ensuring adequate power supply.
“At the end of the day, the NGCP has the responsibility of maintaining grid reliability that requires ancillary service, and the DOE expects that NGCP will live up to this responsibility,” the DOE said in a statement.
This comes after the NGCP sought the intervention of the agency to reverse the ERC’s ruling denying a request for month-on-month extensions of existing ancillary service procurement agreements (Aspas).
The NGCP is currently conducting a competitive selection process (CSP) for new ancillary services and expects provisional approvals not earlier than June.
The Aspas were supposed to supply additional power to the national grid while CSPs were ongoing.
Without the ERC’s approval, the NGCP warned of power supply interruptions in the summer season, when demand is expected to reach its peak.
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla argued, however, that the ERC denial was made before the NGCP implemented their competitive bidding.
“All they need to do is file a motion for reconsideration with the ERC. The ERC will hear the petition. You must not over worry yourselves,” Lotilla told reporters.
The NGCP has yet to file a motion for reconsideration. INQ
