Another DMCI energy project gets CEPNS

By Jordeene B. Lagare – May 4, 2019
from The Manila Times

The DMCI Power Corp. has clinched another certificate of energy project of national significance (CEPNS) for its planned coal power plant in Palawan province.

The certificate was issued to DMCI Power’s 15-megawatt (MW) circulating fluidized bed (CFB) coal-fired power plant in Palawan province, based on the Department of Energy’s (DoE) post on its website on Friday.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of DMCI Holdings Inc., DMCI Power was established in 2006 to energize the small and remote islands in the country not connected to the main power grid. It currently operates and maintains bunker-fired power plants and diesel generating sets in parts of Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan and Sultan Kudarat.

This is not the first time DMCI Power bagged the CEPNS from the agency. It received the same certification for its 15-megawatts coal power plant in Masbate last November.

The issuance of CEPNS, which was given to the power firm on April 15, is in line with Executive Order 30, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in June 2017, which seeks to streamline the regulatory procedures and requirements relevant to the development of energy investments in the country.

It gives project proponents presumptive prior approval and 30-day facilitation from all concerned government agencies. An application is deemed approved if not acted upon within five days after the 30-day period lapses.

As of end-April, the Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC) has received 345 applications for EPNS. Of the total number, 277 were accepted while 68 filings were rejected.

The EICC is the council created by virtue of EO 30 responsible for spearheading and coordinating national government efforts to harmonize, integrate and streamline regulatory processes, requirements and forms relevant to the development of energy investments in the country.