ERC Speeds Up Power Permits in H1 2025, Adds 6,150 MW, Tightens Compliance

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has significantly intensified its regulatory efforts in the first half of 2025, nearly doubling permit issuances and ramping up compliance measures to strengthen the country’s power infrastructure and sector accountability.

According to official data, the number of Certificates of Compliance (COCs) issued surged by 100.8%, climbing from 1,064 in the first quarter to 2,137 by end-June. A substantial portion of this growth came from net-metering qualified end-users, which jumped from 868 to 1,696. Approvals for Self-Generating Facilities (SGFs) also registered a sharp 170% increase—from 94 in Q1 to 254 in Q2.

“With the Commission’s faster approvals and strengthened enforcement, the ERC is actively boosting the country’s power infrastructure and reinforcing regulatory efficiency in the energy sector,” said ERC Chairperson and CEO Monalisa C. Dimalanta. “This also shows our commitment to ensuring that our regulated entities, especially the power providers, deliver on their obligations, as this would directly benefit Filipino consumers, encourage more investments, and contribute to the overall resilience of our energy systems.”

The issuance of COCs for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) rose modestly from 8 to 18, while Independent Power Producers (IPPs) saw an uptick from 8 to 12. Provisional Authorities to Operate (PAOs) granted to IPPs rose sharply by 82%, increasing from 86 in March to 157 by June.

These developments resulted in a near doubling of installed power capacity nationwide—from 5,548 megawatts (MW) to 11,698 MW—adding 6,150 MW to the grid and significantly enhancing supply availability.

Regulatory issuances also saw a dramatic increase. Orders and Decisions rose more than fivefold, from 41 in Q1 to 240 in Q2. Show Cause Orders (SCOs), a key enforcement tool, soared by 1,440%, from 10 in the first quarter to 154 by the end of June, signaling the agency’s tougher stance against non-compliance.

Between April and June, the ERC resolved 39 out of 50 applications for Provisional Authority (PA) related to Power Supply Agreements (PSAs), with 11 applications denied. Additionally, the agency issued 17 decisions on Point-to-Point (P2P) transmission facility applications, up from 6 in the previous quarter. For National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) CAPEX applications, 19 orders were issued in Q2 compared to 10 in Q1.

The ERC’s intensified regulatory push reflects its ongoing mission to enhance energy security, uphold consumer welfare, and promote investment confidence in the Philippine power sector.