MANILA, Philippines – Nagpataw ang Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ng P3.5 milyong multa sa National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) sa bigong pag-abot sa mga iskedyul ng implementasyon ng 10 transmission projects.
Sa pahayag nitong Sabado, Agosto 31, ipinaliwanag ng ERC na, sa desisyon na may petsang Hunyo 25, 2024, at promulgated ng Agosto 31, 2024, na ang NGCP ay pinagmulta “for its unjustified delays in the implementation of 10 CAPEX (capital expenditure) projects.”
Ayon sa power industry regulator, bigong maabot ng grid operator ang inaprubahang project timelines ng 10 proyekto kabilang ang Baloi-Kauswagan-Aurora 230kV Transmission Line Project (Phase 2V-Kauswagan-Lala 230kV T/L Project), Pagbilao EHV Substation Project, Antipolo EHV Substation Project, Tuy(Calaca) Dasmariñas 500kV T/L Project, Cebu-Lapu-Lapu Transmission Project, Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230kV Backbone Project Stage 3, at Tacurong-Kalamansig 69kV Line.
Sa desisyon, iginiit ng ERC ang obligasyon ng NGCP na sumunod sa project timeline na kanilang inaprubahan nang i-apply ito para sa CAPEX projects.
Ayon sa regulator, ang mga pagkaantala sa pagpapatupad sa anumang CAPEX project ay lubhang nakakaapekto sa reliability ng grid at abilidad ng transmission system na tumanggap ng mga bagong power capacities.
“It must be emphasized that this is not an issue of whether or not these CAPEX projects have a rate impact on the consumers because any delay and unrealized CAPEX project is prejudicial to the public,” sinabi ng ERC sa kanilang desisyon.
“This is especially true for NGCP’s CAPEX projects since [NGCP] serves as the sole concessionaire for the operation of the transmission system in the country. Any inexcusable delay on these projects will have a far-reaching impact on our nation’s electric power quality, reliability, security, and affordability,” dagdag niya.
Kinumpirma naman ni NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza ang desisyon sa pagsasabing, “We confirm receipt of the ERC’s Decision dated 25 June 2024 yesterday, 30 August 2024.”
“We are studying the issuance and our legal options under applicable laws, rules, and regulations,” dagdag ni Alabanza.
Sa kabila nito, sinabi ng ERC na “any motion for reconsideration of the decision will not prevent the said decision from becoming executory unless otherwise ordered by the Commission.” RNT/JGC
