Govt defends review of CEPNS scheme

By Lenie Lectura – January 4, 2021
from Business Mirror

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi defended his agency’s decision to indefinitely suspend the issuance of Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS), saying the move will fast-track the development of power projects.

“The review will not cause any delay but will expedite proceedings of energy projects,” said Cusi in a recent online press briefing.

The Department of Energy (DOE) issued an advisory last December 10. The suspension is meant 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 issuance of EPNS certificates is stipulated under Executive Order 30, which states that concerned government agencies shall act upon applications for permits not exceeding within a 30-day period. If no decision is made within the specified processing timeframe, the application is deemed approved by the concerned agency.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has so far certified 149 EPNS out of the 393 applications filed before the agency. Other applications were either denied or are still under evaluation.

The total estimated investment cost for the 149 issued CEPNS amount to P794.52 billion, according to the latest data of the DOE.

“We’re just evaluating what has happened, what positive impact did it do to increase capacity,” said Cusi.

In parallel with the CEPNS process evaluation, all applications will be automatically migrated to the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System.

“We have EVOSS already but it seems that they are not using it to expedite permitting and construction of the plant. So, we wondered why. So, we are looking at it now and evaluating it in coordination with other agencies,” explained Cusi.

The DOE will issue a separate advisory once the suspension is lifted based on the results of the evaluation.