DOE lifts suspension on big energy project licensing
By Alena Mae S. Flores – November 8, 2023, 7:30 pm
from manilastandard.net
The Department of Energy (DOE) lifted the suspension on the issuance of the Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS) as it prepares to release new guidelines within 60 days.
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in an advisory dated Oct. 31, 2023 the move would rationalize and streamline the process of permitting and licensing of energy projects.
“Within 60 days from the effectivity of this advisory, the DOE shall promulgate the guidelines for the issuance of CEPNS by the department,” Lotilla said.
The CEPNS to be issued by the DOE pursuant to the prospective guidelines will apply to energy projects, particularly with processes that are not integrated in the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System.
Former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi suspended the issuance of the CEPNS in 2020 to give way to a thorough evaluation of its effectiveness with respect to securing regulatory permits and licenses, endorsements and other requirements relevant to the timely development and completion of energy projects.
The DOE already granted an EPNS status to 149 projects with investment cost of P795.52 billion. With the suspension, CEPNS were migrated to the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 30 in 2017 creating the Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC) to streamline the regulatory procedures affecting energy projects of national importance.
The EO defined EPNS as major energy projects for power generation, transmission and/or ancillary services including those required to maintain grid stability and security, identified and endorsed by the DOE as “projects of national significance” that are in consonance with the policy thrusts and specific goals of the Philippine Energy Plan.
Projects can be awarded an EPNS status if it complies with several criteria, including significant capital investment of P3.5 billion; significant contribution to the country’s economic development; significant potential contribution to the country’s balance of payment; significant impact on the environment, significant complex technical processes and/or engineering designs; and significant infrastructure requirement.
EO 30 provides that government agencies concerned with the said energy projects should presume other agencies were able to act upon and issue their respective permits within a 30-day period.
The 30-day deadline starts from the submission of the complete documentary requirements to the relevant agencies involved in the permitting process.
