The Department of Energy (DOE) said the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) can file a motion for reconsideration (MR) with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), in relation to the denial of the company’s request for a month-to-month extensions on ancillary services (AS) agreements while a competitive selection process (CSP) is being undertaken.
“…The denial was made before they implemented their (NGCP) CSP. All they need to do is file a motion for reconsideration with the ERC. The ERC will hear the petition,” said DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla at the sidelines of a corporate event in Taguig City yesterday.
In a separate statement also yesterday, the DOE said the ERC decision denying monthly extensions of AS agreements was promulgated back in December 2022 when NGCP has not yet implemented the CSP for AS.
“Since the CSP for AS is now nearing completion, the NGCP may file a motion for reconsideration before the ERC with updates on the CSP for AS,” the DOE further said.
In another statement yesterday, ERC said it “awaits NGCP’s filing of an MR, which is provided for under the revised rules of practice of the commission” for the regulatory body to officially revisit its ruling.
The NGCP warned on Monday the possibility of intermittent power interruptions due to the denial of its request from the ERC.
NGCP sought the intervention of the DOE on the matter to “avert avoidable power interruptions.”
AS serves as the available generating capacity for dispatch to meet contingency reserve requirements when a power generating unit trips or a transmission interconnection problem occurs.
AS is also necessary for NGCP to manage power fluctuations to ensure the quality and reliability of power flowing through its system. If not managed properly, fluctuations can cause damage to sensitive equipment or lead to automatic load dropping if the fluctuations are severe enough to pose a danger to the transmission system as a whole. -Jed Macapagal
