Firms get go-ahead from ERC to operate power plants

The Energy Regulatory Commission has given the green light for the operation of power facilities owned by eight generation companies as part of efforts to whittle down the agency’s backlog.

The permits granted covered a total generating capacity of about 620 megawatts that could deliver electricity to consumers.

The ERC said it approved on Feb. 27 the provisional authority to operate (PAO) for four companies and the conversion of certificates of compliance (COC) into PAOs for two firms.

Companies that were granted PAOs will be able to operate their power plants for six months, which will be part of the five-year validity of COCs that the regulator may subsequently issue.

“With the approvals of PAOs and COCs to generation companies, power supply will be augmented as additional power will be injected into the grid,” ERC Chair Agnes Devanadera said in a statement.

“This will keep a stable power supply especially during the coming summer months when the demand for electricity is expected to increase drastically,” Devanadera said.

Approved were PAOs that were issued to Peakpower San Francisco Inc. for its 5.2-MW diesel-fired power plant in Agusan Del Sur; Peakpower Bukidnon Inc. for its 10.42-MW diesel plant in Bukidnon; SMC Consolidated Power Corp. for its 150-MW coal-fired plant in Bataan, and SPC Power Corp. for its 16-MW power barge in Bohol.

Also approved were the conversion of PAOs to COCs to King Energy Generation Inc. for its 3.2-MW power plant in Bukidnon and Peakpower Soccsargen Inc. for its 13.94-MW diesel-fired plant in General Santos City.

The ERC also issued a COC to Pagbilao Energy Corp. for its 420-MW Pagbilao Unit 3 coal-fired plant in Quezon.

The regulator also approved the renewal of the COC of PowerSource Philippines Inc. for its 700-kilowatt diesel-fired plant in Palawan.