Meralco to negotiate with Solar PH for 200-MW baseload supply

MANILA – Meralco is set to proceed with negotiations for its 200-MW baseload energy requirement following the failure of the second round of Competitive Selection Process (CSP) for Solar Philippine Batangas Baseload Corp’s (SPBB) unsolicited proposal.

SPBBC will provide the capacity using solar and battery in compliance with Meralco’s Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) requirement.

In a report, the Meralco Third-Party Bids and Awards Committee (TPBAC) said it did not receive any competitive bids from any challenger during the bid submission deadline on Jan 10.

The TPBAC further said that since there was no outstanding dispute on the first and second rounds of competitive challenge for the contract, the distribution utility may now enter into direct negotiation for the contract capacity requirement, as provided by the Revised CSP Rules.

To recall, SPBBC’s offer involves a 20-year contract starting 2024 for P4.65 per kWh at 100 percent capacity factor.

Once negotiations are completed, Meralco will enter into a Power Supply Agreement (PSA) with the original proponent and seek regulatory approval for the contract.