DOE pilots template ordinance for energy infra in Iloilo

By Jed Macapagal – March 14, 2025
from Malaya Business Insight

The Department of Energy (DOE) said it is piloting a standardized energy infrastructure ordinance template in the province of Iloilo.

The DOE said in a statement on Thursday the initiative aims to establish a uniform framework to simplify the approval procedures and minimize delays and ensure a transparent and consistent regulatory approach across local government units (LGUs).

The DOE said one of the most common bottlenecks in energy project development is the varying timelines for the issuance of permits like LGU resolutions of support, which often lead to significant delays.

While the DOE did not specify the project timeline improvements as a result of the initiative, it said the proposed ordinance recommends that resolutions be issued within a definite and transparent timeline to ensure a more predictable and efficient approval process.

LGUs should also prioritize and allow simultaneous processing of applications for strategic investments on energy, issue provisional permits as well as publish and post rates of fees and charges, the DOE added.

The agency said Iloilo was selected as a pilot site as the province currently hosts three existing renewable energy (RE) projects totaling 20.42 megawatts (MW) — the 4.5 MW solar power project of Cosmo Solar Energy Inc., 920 kilowatts Gaisano Iloilo solar rooftop project of EDC Siklab Power Corp. and the 15 MW biomass project of Central Azucarera De San Antonio Inc.

The province is also set to welcome 26 upcoming projects, of which four are committed and 15 are indicative projects plus seven potential projects.