06 NOVEMBER 2010
DoE seeks new extension for feed-in-tariff filing
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy-sanctioned National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) has sought another one-month extension for its filing of the levelized feed-in-tariff allowance (FIT-All), or the subsidy scheme that will underpin investments in the renewable energy (RE) sector.
“It (NREB) asked for another extension until December 4 (2010), which we granted,” Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) executive director Francis Juan said.
The biggest hurdle in the FIT filing and even in the simulation of the final numbers had been the delayed re-constitution of the new membership of the NREB.
While the chairmanship has already been given to Pete Maniego, it was gathered that the board can’t still function because there are no appointed members.
Sources further disclosed that all the names forming the NREB membership have already been submitted to the Palace for President Aquino’s action, but targeted timetables have already been eclipsed because of the election ban.
From August 12, the first extension sought on the FIT filing was November 4, which was similarly allowed by the industry regulator.
The final FIT Allowance figures to be approved by the regulatory body will be the determining factor for most RE project proponents if they will give their investment plans the final go-signal.
Sources from the energy department however revealed that the computation of the levelized FIT may not be concluded until after the renewable portfolio standards (RPS) been established.
The RPS will set the exact target levels on RE’s integration into the country’s energy mix and the enforcement period being eyed is January 2013.
The policy is similarly expected to require industry players leaning on fossil fuel technologies to shift a portion of their generation portfolio by deploying RE technology in their future projects.
Nevertheless, policy formulations are reportedly encountering some hurdles as the NREB is still establishing which shall be considered as zero-base when it comes to setting the RPS. The puzzle to be unleashed by policy framers is: if only prospective projects shall be factored in or if the existing projects will be included in the calculation.
Read article source in Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation, Novemember 6, 2010
