August 19, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Extra energy customers might quickly select their very own electrical energy provider because the Vitality Regulatory Fee (ERC) is seeking to considerably decrease the minimal threshold.
In a draft decision, the ERC is proposing to scale back the eligibility threshold for the retail competitors and open entry (RCOA) program to 100 kiloWatts from 500 kW.
The decrease threshold, the fee stated, is anticipated to advertise a “extra dynamic and aggressive electrical energy market.”
The proposal will likewise permit customers to get pleasure from aggressive charges, enhanced service high quality and provide choices.
Below the prevailing threshold, solely customers with a mean month-to-month peak demand of no less than 500 kW for the previous 12 months are eligible to contract with any licensed power provider on a voluntary foundation.
To evaluate the feasibility and timing of the proposed adjustment, the ERC stated it’s carefully working with the Division of Vitality and different related stakeholders.
“The fee finds it essential to align the eligibility thresholds throughout all buyer selection packages to make sure consistency and regulatory coherence,” the ERC stated.
The proposed threshold, for example, mirrors the extent at present applied underneath the inexperienced power possibility program, which allows end-users with a minimal month-to-month peak demand of 100 kW to contract renewable power provide.
As of end-Might, a complete of two,225 retail prospects, or about 60 % of the overall, had switched to the aggressive electrical energy market, newest ERC knowledge confirmed.
In the meantime, over 12,100 end-users from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have already met the minimal 100-kW eligibility threshold.
The business launch of RCOA in Mindanao in March final yr paved the way in which for the primary contestable buyer registrations within the area.
The adoption of a brand new threshold is per the aims of the Electrical Energy Trade Reform Act, which seeks to advertise competitors and guarantee client selection with larger participation within the RCOA.
All events might submit their feedback on the proposal till Aug. 30.
