Gatchalian to DOE: Act on all pending solar project applications

Senator Win Gatchalian called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to immediately act on all pending solar project applications emphasizing that a mechanism is already in place that streamlines the permitting process for both foreign and domestic investors.

Gatchalian took note of reports about the mounting solar project applications that will yield capacity installations of more than 13,217 megawatts.

The influx of the solar project applications is in line with the government's planned rollout of the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) policy next year. RPS mandates electricity suppliers to source a portion of their energy supply from eligible renewable energy (RE) resources to contribute to the growth of the RE industry in the country.

"A law is already in place ensuring that there won't be any delay in the permitting process of energy projects. This is aimed at eliminating red tape and enticing more investments in the energy sector," Gatchalian said.

"Naisabatas na ito noon pang nakaraang taon, bago pa man magka-pandemya. At ngayon na may kinakaharap tayong krisis, mas lalong napapanahon at makabuluhan ang batas na ito," the senator added.

The Senate Energy Committee Chairman was referring to the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act, enacted last year which provides an online process of completing requirements of energy-related projects such as documentary requirements and online payment of charges and fees. It is under the control and supervision of the DOE.

Gatchalian pointed out that in the long run, EVOSS could bring down electricity costs. He explained that if investors see an improved permitting process, they would be encouraged to apply for new power projects which could stimulate competition in the energy generation industry.

"The law didn't prescribe that we have to set up the system or the software to implement the EVOSS law. The law can be implemented as a stand-alone. If agencies, including the local government units (LGUs), have started streamlining the permit processing for energy projects in compliance with the EVOSS laws, a number of applications would have been dispensed with by now," Gatchalian stressed.

The DOE said that application processes at the Renewable Energy Management Bureau and the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau can now be done online via the EVOSS platform. Permits were already issued through the said platform.

EVOSS covers applications for new generation, transmission and distribution projects throughout the country, including the permits and certificates of energy projects issued by concerned national government offices, agencies, local government units (LGUs), and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) among many others.

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Gatchalian sa DOE: Tambak na solar project applications, aksyunan!

Nanawagan si Senador Win Gatchalian sa Department of Energy (DOE) na aksyunan na ang mga nakabinbin na mga solar project applications at pinaalalahan ang ahensya na walang dahilan para mangyari ito lalo na't pinaigsi na ang pagpoproseso ng mga kaukulang dokumento para sa mga dayuhan at lokal na namumuhunan sa industriya ng enerhiya.

Nagulat si Gatchalian na sangkaterba na pala ang mga nagsusumite ng kanilang aplikasyon para sa pagpapatayo ng solar projects.

Ang pagdagsa ng mga solar project applications ay kasunod ng planong pagpapatupad ng polisiyang Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) para sa susunod na taon. Sa ilalim mg RPS, minamandato na sa electricity suppliers na kumuha ng ilang bahagi ng kanilang isu-suplay na enerhiya mula sa mga renewable energy (RE) resources para tulungang mapalago ang industriya ng RE sa bansa.

"Mayroon nang batas para hindi na maantala ang pagpo-proseso ng mga dokumento ng mga nagsusulong ng energy projects sa bansa. Layon nitong tanggalin ang red tape at makahikayat pa ng mas maraming mamumuhunan sa industriya," ani Gatchalian.

"Naisabatas na ito noong nakaraang taon, bago pa man magka-pandemya. At ngayon na may kinakaharap tayong krisis, mas lalong napapanahon at makabuluhan ang ganitong klaseng batas," paliwanag ng senador.

Ang tinutukoy ni Senate Energy Committee Chairman, ay ang Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act kung saan pwede nang mag sumite sa oline ng mga aplikasyon para sa permits at certifications ng mga nagbabalak na magtayo ng mga proyektong may kinalaman sa enerhiya. Dito, maaari na ring magbayad sa online ng mga kaukulang bayarin ang mga aplikante.

Ipinaliwanag ni Gatchalian na pagdating ng panahon ay maibababa ng naturang batas ang singil sa kuryente. Kung mas madali na ang proseso ng aplikasyon para sa ganitong mga proyekto, ani Gatchalian gaganda ang kumpetisyon sa industriya dahil makakahikayat ito ng maraming mamumuhunan sa bansa.

Sa ilalim ng EVOSS Act, binibigyan ang DOE ng 60 na araw para aksyunan ang mga isinumite sa kanilang mga aplikasyon sa permits o certifications.

Sakop ng EVOSS ang pagpo-proseso ng mga papeles ng mga gustong magsulong ng mga bagong generation, transmission at distribution projects sa bansa, kabilang ang mga mga permits at certificates mula sa mga lokal na pamahalaan (LGUs) at mga government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).