399 applications accepted for national energy projects

THE Department of Energy (DoE) has received 399 applications for power projects to be issued a certificate classifying them as an energy project of national significance (CEPNS) as of August.

Data from the agency showed that of the total number, 145 were issued the certificate of energy project of national significance while 39 applications are still under evaluation.

The DoE said it rejected 139 applications yet the other 76 were returned or notified of non-compliance as to form and/or documentary requirements.

Meanwhile, of the total number of received CEPNS applications, 186 were for oil and gas (liquefied natural gas, diesel power plants and oil exploration) projects.

Some 106 are renewable energy projects (hydro, geothermal, wind, solar and biomass) while 70 are transmission projects.

The Energy department also received 24 applications for coal power projects and another 13 for hybrid projects.

The total estimated investment cost for the 145 projects with CEPNS amounted to P681.94 billion.

The issuance of CEPNS is in line with Executive Order 30 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in June 2017 that seeks to streamline the regulatory procedures and requirements relevant to the development of energy investments in the country.

It gives project proponents presumptive prior approval and a 30-day facilitation from all concerned government agencies. An application is deemed approved if not acted upon within five days after the 30-day period lapses.

The first to be given an EPNS classification by the DoE-led Energy Investment Coordinating Council was the P51.7-billion Mindanao Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

Considered as the largest energy infrastructure in the history of the country, the MVIP will complete the link between the nation’s power grids, allowing electricity between the major islands to be shared, and ensuring the reliability and stability of the grid.

Also in the list include Atimonan One Energy Inc.’s 2 x 600-megawatt (MW) ultra supercritical coal-fired power plant; Energy World Corp.’s 650-MW combined cycle gas-fired power plant; GN Power Dinginin Ltd. Co.’s 2 x 668 MW supercritical clean-coal fired power plant in Bataan; GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co.’s 4 x 138 MW clean coal-fired power plant; Rizal Wind Energy Corp.’s 600 MW Rizal wind power project and First Gen Corp.’s Batangas LNG terminal.

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Article originally posted by The Manila Times last September 1, 2020 and written by Jordeene B. Lagare.