THE ENERGY Investment Coordinating Council (EICC) has issued an advisory to power developers on how their projects can qualify under Executive Order (EO)30, the law that classifies a project as one of national significance and secure speedier regulatory approval.

“As provided in Section 2 of the EO 30, the DoE shall identify and endorse the energy projects to be considered as Energy Projects of National Significance (EPNS),” the Department of Energy (DoE) said.

The EICC, which is headed by the DoE, will require interested applicants or proponents to justify “in a clear and unequivocal manner” how their projects are in consonance with the goals and objects of the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), the blueprint for the country’s long-term energy outlook.

The proposed projects should be included in the list of projects embodied in the PEP.

The proponent should submit a letter of intent addressed to the Energy secretary along with a copy to the DoE director of the energy policy and planning bureau.

“The proponent must be able to establish in a clear and detailed manner that the proposed project is qualified to be declared as EPNS,” it said, citing seven “attributes” for qualification.

The attributes are: capital investment of P3.5 billion; significant contribution to the country’s economic development; significant consequential economic impact; significant potential contribution to the country’s balance of payment; significant impact on the environment; significant complex technical processes and engineering designs; and significant infrastructure requirement.

REVALIDATION
The EICC said for project proponents with existing service contracts and certificate of endorsements, “a project revalidation shall be conducted to ensure that they comply with the EPNS requirements.”

It also said for new energy project applicants, the validation or evaluation for EPNS qualification is to be determined in parallel with the processing of appropriate service contracts and certificates of endorsements.

The certificate of EPNS shall be issued simultaneously with the service contract or certificate of endorsement.

The EICC was created pursuant to EO 30, which was issued on June 28, 2017, in order to spearhead and coordinate efforts to harmonize, integrate and streamline the regulatory processes, and forms relevant to the development of energy investments relating to energy projects of national significance.

The council is chaired by a representative from the DoE and is composed of representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Electrification Administration, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and the National Power Corp.

Also represented are the Department of Finance, Department of Justice, Department of Transportation, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and other agencies whose participation may be deemed necessary by the council. — Victor V. Saulon

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