ERC eyes tighter rules on Genco certificates

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the Philippines’ power sector watchdog, announced plans to apply stricter rules on the issuance of certificates of compliance (COC) to generation companies. Under the proposed amendments of the COC guidelines, the ERC will require generation companies to apply for COCs whenever they expand, convert or repower any of their facilities, or upon acquisition of new generation. standby and back-up facilities. The commission said it will conduct an ocular technical inspection at least twice during the five-year life of a COC. Prerequisites for a COC include certificates or documents from other government agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Energy (DOE) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), among others. It recently granted a COC to the San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. (SCBI) for its bagasse-fired cogeneration power plant in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. (April 15, 2009)