NGO questions terms of Meralco’s bidding

By Alena Mae S. Flores – November 01, 2019
from manilastandard.net

A non-government organization called on the Department of Energy and Energy Regulatory Commission to carefully review the terms of reference of Manila Electric Co.’s competitive selection process to ensure fair bidding.

Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares said any approval of the DOE and ERC on bidding procedures that were not independent and fair should result in “judicial sanctions.”

Meralco is set to rebid its 1,200-megawatt greenfield power supply agreement after the initial round of bidding in September failed. Only one bidder, Atimonan One Energy Inc. owned by Meralco PowerGen Corp., a unit of Meralco, offered a bid.

“The DOE must, therefore, stop the bidding and the ERC must deny approval of the same unless consumers are assured of an independent bidding process that ensures the cheapest supply of electricity to the consumers,” Colmenares said.

Colmenares questioned provisions in the TOR, adding the commercial operations date should not be earlier than March 2024.