1. What is EICC?
The Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC), was created pursuant to Executive Order No. 30 (EO30), in order to spearhead and coordinate efforts to harmonize, integrate and streamline the regulatory processes, and forms relevant to the development of energy investments, primarily with regards to Energy Projects of National Significance (EPNS).
2. Who are the members of EICC?
The members of the EICC are:
Department of Energy (DOE)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Department of Finance (DOF)
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Department of Transportation (DOTR)
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)
Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD)
National Electrification Administration (NEA)
National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)
National Power Corporation (NPC)
National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO)
The following were additional members pursuant to Section 4 (k) of EO30:
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
National Water Resources Board (NWRB)
3. What is EPNS?
Energy Project of National Significance (EPNS) are energy projects that meet the requirements and are entitled to the rights set forth in EO30.
4. Who can apply for EPNS?
Energy projects that demonstrate any of the attributes provided under EO30 and either part of the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) or the DOE’s Strategic Initiatives and Directions can apply.
5. What is CEPNS?
It stands for Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance.
6. What is the difference between CEPNS for Pre-Development with CEPNS for Commerciality?
There is no difference as to the rights accorded between two CEPNS. However, the difference lies in which stage the CEPNS is issued for a particular energy project.
There are energy projects which undergo two stages: Pre-Development and Commerciality. Energy projects which undergo two stages are those with indigenous energy resource. These energy projects are typically covered by a service or operating contract issued by the DOE.
7. What is significant?
Under the context of EO30 and the attributes of an EPNS, this would mean of great impact. On significant economic development and impact on the environment, the DOE cites as an example the possible qualification of an off-grid energy renewable energy project. A project of this nature will certainly have a significant impact relative to the off-grid community it will service. It will improve electricity supply and transition the area from diesel-powered generation to renewable energy.
8. What are projects contained in the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP)?
Projects contained in the PEP would include those specifically indicated in the various sectoral roadmaps. It will likewise cover those that contribute to the attainment of the overall goals and/or targets of the PEP.
9. What are the DOE’s Strategic Directions?
The DOE’s Strategic Directions are as follows: 1) ensure energy security; 2) expand energy access; 3) promote a low carbon future; 4) strengthen partnership and collaboration between private sector and government agencies involved in energy and energy-related issues; 5) implement, monitor and integrate national and local energy plans and sectoral roadmaps; 6) advocate the passage of the Department’s legislative agenda; 7) strengthen consumer welfare and protection; 8) foster stronger international relations and partnerships.
10. What is the DOE’s 9-Point Energy Agenda?
The DOE’s priorities are consumer first policies, reliability of energy supplies and affordability of tariffs contained in the 9-point Energy Agenda:
- Access to Basic Electricity for All Filipinos by 2022. We aim to achieve a 100% national and regional electrification rate by 2022, especially in Mindanao and off-grid areas, by improving energy supplies and upgrading transmission infrastructure.
- Adopting a Technology Neutral Approach for an Optimal Energy Mix. We aim to steer energy priorities towards a reliable and optimal mix of energy for affordable and reliable supplies.
- Improving the Supply of Power that is Reliable to meet Demand needs by 2040. We are currently institutionalizing a 25% reserve requirement to ensure that we are on track to reliably meet the 43,765 MW in additional capacity required by 2040 to meet our growth needs.
- Developing LNG needs for the future in anticipation of Malampaya depletion. We are now planning for the implementation of LNG projects to safeguard against the anticipated depletion of the Malampaya gas facility in 2024.
- Facilitating the completion of Transmission projects by 2020. We will push for the improvement of access and distribution of energy by fast-tracking Interconnection Projects.
- Pro-Consumer Distribution Framework for Affordability, Choice and Transparency. We are now in the regime of Retail Competition and Open Access to give consumers the choice of their energy source and supplier with no captive customers for distribution units to pass-on generation charges by 2020.
- Streamlining Domestic Policy to Cut Red Tape. We are currently developing a framework that will eliminate delays and red-tape to streamline the development of generation and transmission projects by 2020 to ensure adequacy and reliability of the supply of electricity.
- DOE to deliver on PSALM privatization in compliance with the EPIRA.
- Promoting Efficient Use of Power Among Consumers Through an IEC. We will continue to promote efficient use of electricity among consumers, especially off-grid areas through a nationwide multi-media information education and communication (IEC) campaign.
11. What is the presumption of prior approvals?
The presumption has two aspects. The first aspect goes into the idea that all documents already submitted to the DOE may no longer be required for submission by the other government agencies. This would mean that common requirements such as certified true copy of business permit, tax registration, SEC registration, and the like will be presumed complied with if originally submitted to the DOE. This would mean that only requirements specific to the mandate of the processing agency can be required of.
The second aspect goes into the concept of other government agency’s pre-conditions. With the presumption, government agency A can no longer defer processing until the issuance of government agency B’s permit, license or grant. It is this concept that would allow for the simultaneous or parallel processing as there is no need to wait. The processing agency can rely on the presumption to process.
11. How does action within 30 days apply?
The action envisioned must be made within 30 days from complete submission of requirements. In the event that no action is taken (grant or denial), it will be considered as deemed approved authorizing the DOE to issue what was applied for within 5 days from the lapse of the 30 day period.