Nearly P700 billion power projects certified for priority approval

By Danessa Rivera – June 20, 2020 – 12:00am
from The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy  has certified nearly P700 billion worth of projects as energy projects of national significance (EPNS) to be granted a fast pass on the permitting process.

DOE has issued certificates of energy projects of national significance (CEPNS) to 145 projects to date.

The total estimated investment cost for these projects is P681.94 billion.

Meanwhile, the EICC has received a total of 393 applications for EPNS, of which 31 are currently being processed or under evaluation.

It also denied 142 applications and returned 74 applications for non-compliance as to form or documentary requirements.

All the endorsed power projects will be entitled to all the rights and privileges under Executive Order (EO) 30.

The CEPNS was intended to establish a simplified approval process and harmonize the relevant rules and regulations of all government agencies involved in the permitting process.

Signed by President Duterte in June 2017, EO 30 provides that government agencies concerned with energy projects should presume other agencies were able to act upon and issue their respective permits within a 30-day period.

If not acted upon five days after the lapse of 30 days, these projects are deemed approved.

To qualify under EO 30,  power generation and transmission projects are required to have a capital cost of P3.5 billion, significant contribution to the country’s economic development and significant consequential economic impact, among others.