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A total of 149 power generation and transmission projects have received the Certificate of Energy Projects of National Significance (CEPNS) from the Department of Energy (DOE), assuring them of priority processing and faster permit approvals.
In a statement on Monday, Feb. 10, the DOE said these certified projects are anticipated to provide 19 gigawatts (GW) of additional power generation capacity, of which 17.6 GW are from renewable energy (RE) developments, while 1.5 GW are four conventional power plants.
Twenty-nine of the certificates were given to transmission projects; 24 are microgrid systems; and one certificate was given to an exploration project.
According to the DOE, the estimated total investment for all the projects with CEPNS costs around P2.4 trillion, while most of the developments are slated for completion within the next two to five years.
“Under the revised guidelines, major energy projects eligible for CEPNS are those identified in the Philippine Energy Plan, including power generation, transmission, distribution, and ancillary services essential for grid stability and load growth,” it said.
The DOE also explained that projects are considered as EPNS if they have a significant capital investment of at least P3.5 billion.
The CEPNS is considered as a fast pass to processing necessary permits from various agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), local governments, and other authorities, without entailing lengthy approvals.
The certificates are valid until the projects' targeted commercial operation start date.
“The revised framework also grants automatic CEPNS qualifications to RE projects eligible under the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) System, those selected through the Green Energy Auction Program, and projects that support the country’s energy transition goals in line with DOE policies promoting clean energy,” it elaborated.
Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla highlighted the importance of CEPNS, as it would help push the timely development of critical infrastructures ensuring the country’s energy security.
“By facilitating investments in power generation and transmission in an efficient and timely manner, we are not only strengthening our energy security but also accelerating our transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy system,” he said.
The DOE also identified the three biggest projects that were granted with CEPNS: the 1,000-megawatt (MW) San Miguel Bay Offshore Wind Power Project; the 1400-MW Pakil Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Power Project; and the 2500-MW alternating current (MWac) Terra Solar Project.
Granting CEPNS was previously suspended in 2020; prior to this halted period, the government qualified P795-billion worth of energy projects.
Before the hiatus, 133 of CEPNS-granted projects reached the commercial stage, while 16 remained in pre-development.
“Based on monitoring reports from project proponents, 52 out of 133 commercial-stage projects have secured all required permits, while four out of 16 pre-development projects have completed their permitting requirements,” the DOE revealed.
“The remaining projects are in various stages of permit applications, with 40 EPNS projects yet to secure any permits. Of the 149 previously certified EPNS, 57 are transmission projects in the commercial stage,” it added.
