Globe: SIMs sending spam, scam messages deactivated
Globe Telecom, Inc. has deactivated and blacklisted last year more than 55,000 SIMs (subscriber identity module) that are involved in scam and spam messages.
Vivant unit, JDC tie up for solar project
Property developer JEG Development Corp. (JDC) and Vivant COREnergy Inc. (COREnergy) on Thursday announced their partnership for a solar power project.
AF Payments launches new service
AF Payments Inc., provider of contactless electronic payment system beep cards, introduced on Thursday a service that will allow passengers to purchase bus tickets ahead of their preferred travel date.
WESM-Mindanao starts operation
The commercial operation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Mindanao finally happened on Thursday, more than five years after it was launched.
Grab taps GCash
Grab PH Holdings Inc. and Gcash e-wallet operator Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. announced last Thursday a deal for a cashless payment option to users of the transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) provider.
SMC fails to get TRO to suspend ERC order
THIS time, conglomerate San Miguel Corp. failed to secure a temporary restraining order (TRO) that could have prevented the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) from enforcing its September 2022 order.
No choice but WESM for Meralco, for now
THE Manila Electric Company (Meralco) will start sourcing from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) the 670-megawatt (MW) capacity covered by its power supply agreement (PSA) with South Premiere Power Corporation (SPPC) that was covered by a Court of Appeals-issued Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).
Registered SIMs nearing 25M since IRR took effect–DICT
NEARLY a month since the rules on SIM card registration took effect, the number of registered SIMs has reached nearly 25 million, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Ayala unit to spend P16B for solar farm’s expansion
ACEN Corp., the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, said it has allotted P16 billion for the expansion of its solar power project in Zambales.
Cebu Pacific expects swing to profitability in January-March
Budget carrier Cebu Pacific said it could pivot back to profitability in the first quarter as it expects to restore 100 percent pre-pandemic capacity by March.
‘Illegal use of imported palm olein robs govt of revenues’
THE Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) has expressed grave concern over the alleged illegal use of imported palm olein.
ERC: Net metering scheme attracts 7,583 local users
Nine years after the net metering scheme was implemented, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it recorded 7,583 qualified end-users that signed up for the program at the end of 2022.
Philodrill hikes stake in Galoc block
The Philodrill Corp.’s interest in Service Contract (SC) 14C1 in the Galoc oil field has increased to 10 percent, the company told the stock exchange Tueaday.
Nido Petroleum may spend $32M for Cadlao oil wells
Nido Petroleum Philippines Pty. Ltd., operator of Service Contract (SC) 6B in the Palawan basin, may spend up to $32 million to develop three to four wells.
‘Big time’ hike: Oil firms adjust fuel prices; gas up by ₧2.80, diesel ₧2.25
Pump prices will go up by over P2 per liter this week.
Ex-ICTSI exec joins board of Prime Infra
The former executive vice president and chief financial officer of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has joined the board of directors of Razon-led Prime Infra.
Shell to build more service stations
Amid volatile oil prices, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC) said it plans to add more service stations and import terminals.
DOE, Shell team up to hasten PHL shift to electric vehicles
The Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC) and Shell Energy Philippines Inc. (SEPH) to help achieve the target 10-percent penetration rate of electric vehicles (EVs) for road transport by 2040.
NSW govt to fund ACEN feasibility study
ACEN Australia, the platform representing ACEN Corp.’s renewable energy (RE) assets in Australia, received a big boost from the New South Wales (NSW) government for its 800megawatt (MW) Phoenix pump-hydro project.
Groups flag appointment of Abu Dhabi oil boss Al Jaber to lead climate talks
The ultimate goal of COP28, or the 28th session of the Conference of Parties, could be stalled after the chief of state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has been selected to lead this year’s UN brokered-climate talks scheduled in the latter part of the year.
KEPCO: Several firms keen on coal power assets in PHL
Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) said Monday it is selling its coal power assets in the Philippines as it moves to restructure its overseas business.
ERC to expedite review of NPC petitions
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Wednesday said it will fast-track its review of all pending petitions of the National Power Corp. (NPC) for its availment from the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME) and all other similar applications involving the UCME.
ADB, other lenders bankroll Ayala wind farm in Vietnam
ACEN Corp. and the BIM Group, through their respective subsidiaries, received financial support amounting to $107 million from various lenders.
Aboitiz breaks ground on Albay plant
Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), through its subsidiary AP Renewables Inc. (APRI), broke ground for its new 17 megawatt (MW) binary geothermal power plant in Tiwi, Albay.
Meralco, Aboitiz mull over extension of power deal
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Aboitiz Power Corp. may extend their emergency power supply agreement (EPSA) that will expire next week.
NAC increases investment in renewable energy unit
Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) is pouring nearly P3 billion into its renewable energy (RE) subsidiary, Emerging Power Inc. (EPI).
Petron concludes tender offer of notes
Petron Corp. said Monday it has received $37.48 million in tender offer of $50-million senior perpetual capital securities listed in Singapore.
DOE forms unit to speed up electrification project
THE Department of Energy (DOE) has formed a committee to oversee and speed up the country’s electrification program.
Deal or no deal?
DOTr’s Bautista vows support to Philippine Coast Guard’s modernization program
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has vowed to support the modernization program of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), citing its vital role in maritime safety and security.
MBC offers support to ERC’s modernization, digitalization efforts to deliver adequate power supply
THE Makati Business Club (MBC) has offered to assist the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in enhancing its daily operating procedures through digitalization.
Proposed LRT 1, 2 fare increase to go through process–Cabrera
The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on Thursday said the proposed increase in railway fares might still have to undergo a public hearing, its administrator said.
Wilcon, Converge strengthen tie-up
Wilcon Depot has tapped Converge ICT Solutions Inc. for a dedicated and secured internet service.
‘Top power firms mull over schemes to avert outages’
Power industry stakeholders are discussing a so-called “gas-swapping” arrangement that will result in gas allocation for the 1,200megawatt (MW) Ilijan power plant that has been on shutdown since June last year.
Meralco raises power rate by ₧0.62 cent in January amid higher generation charge
Electricity rates will increase by P0.6232 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) this month, bringing the overall rate for a typical household to P10.9001 per kWh from the previous month’s P10.2769 per kWh.
ACEN buys Sungrow shares to build 60-MW solar plant
ACEN Corp. has acquired shares from Sungrow Power Renewables Corp. (SPRC) worth P114 million that will result in owning a company that is developing a 60-megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Pangasinan.
ACEN Australia taps PCL for solar project
ACEN Australia Pty. Ltd. announced it has awarded the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the construction of the 520megawatt (MW) Stubbo Solar project to PCL Construction Ltd.
Meralco-SPBBC supply deal OK’d
THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Solar Philippine Batangas Baseload Corp. (SPBBC) are now cleared to negotiate for their 200-megawatt (MW) power supply agreement (PSA).
Total registered prepaid SIM card hits 16M despite kinks
THE number of registered prepaid Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards has reached 16 million, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Tuesday.
China firms want to invest in renewable energy–DOE
The Philippines has attracted nine Chinese energy companies that will invest a total of about $13.76 billion to participate in the country’s development of renewable energy (RE), energy storage systems, and off-grid power supply systems.
DFA to set time, venue of oil, gas talks between PHL and China–Lotilla
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said Monday his office is awaiting guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the resumption of negotiations between China and the Philippines in the area of oil and gas exploration.
With 1,000MW expected to come online, DOE assures power sufficiency in 2023
There will be no red alert warnings in Luzon this year but the grid is expected to be placed under yellow alert anytime from March to November this year.
EDC to aid PET bottle-maker in shift to use of renewables
PET bottles manufacturer McBride Corp., has tapped the Energy Development Corp. (EDC) to supply power to its two facilities in Caloocan.
ACEN secures AU$277-M loan for Australia projects
ACEN Corp. has secured a 277-million Australian dollar funding from major international banks to bankroll the renewable projects of its subsidiary, ACEN Australia Pty Ltd. (ACEN Australia).
Bleak, challenging energy sector outlook seen in ’23
INDUSTRY stakeholders paint a bleak and very challenging power sector this year.
NLEX to build new roads, roll out EVs
NLEX Corp. will continue to construct new roads and deploy electric vehicles (EVs) this year, its top official said on Tuesday.
DOE expands list of products carrying energy labels
The Department of Energy (DOE) has expanded the coverage of the Philippine Energy Labeling Program (PELP) in a bid to “further promote the energy consumers’ welfare.”
Electricity rates in January may go up, says Meralco
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) warned on Thursday that power rates are likely to go up this month.
RFM 2022 net income dips due to higher input costs
RFM Corp. reported last Thursday a net income of P1.06 billion last year, slightly down from the previous year’s P1.3 billion.
Vivant unit buys solar power firm Cleantech
THE power arm of Vivant Corp. is acquiring a solar power firm that has plans to put up a 22megawatt peak (MWp) solar power project in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.
EDC’s wind power projects OK for SIS
LOPEZ-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) has lined up six wind power projects that have been cleared by the Department of Energy (DOE) for the conduct of system impact studies (SIS).
Aboitiz Power secures ₧20-B loan from Landbank for RE
Aboitiz Power Corp. (Aboitiz Power), through its clean energy subsidiary Aboitiz Renewables Inc. (ARI), has secured a P20-billion loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) to help attain its goal of growing its renewable energy (RE) portfolio to a total of 9,200 megawatts (MW).
Petron to repurchase $50-M notes
Petron Corp. is planning to repurchase $50 million of its $500-million outstanding senior perpetual capital securities.
AXA merger with Charter Ping An secures SEC nod
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the merger between AXA Philippines—a joint venture between the Metrobank Group, GT Capital, and the Paris-based AXA Group—and its former general insurance subsidiary Charter Ping An Insurance Corp.
Megaworld REIT unveils growth strategy
Megaworld Corp.’s real estate investment trust (REIT), MREIT Inc., said it is ready to implement a three-year strategy meant to increase shareholder value.
RLC-DMCI project piques buyers’ interest
Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) and DMCI Homes Inc. announced Tuesday the completion of the structural work for their joint venture (JV) project in Las Piñas City.
Prime Infra unit forms Malampaya advisory council
Prime Energy Resources Development B.V. (Prime Energy), a subsidiary of Razon-led Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra), has created an advisory council to ensure gas supply from the Malampaya gas field.
Unit of Solar PHL to convert land for industrial purposes
SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC), a subsidiary of Solar Philippines, is working on the conversion of over 3,000 hectares into industrial use.
‘Big time’ fuel pump price hike greets motorists at start of 2023
Hefty oil price increases greeted motorists today after oil firms announced Monday that they will implement this year’s first oil price adjustment.
NGCP seeks nod to recover typhoon-related expenses
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is asking regulators to recover P177.27 million which it spent for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of transmission assets and facilities damaged by Typhoon Odette in Visayas and Mindanao in December 2021.
DOE presents 9 priorities to ensure power supply sufficiency during ‘critical’ periods
THE Department of Energy (DOE) has outlined nine priorities for this year that are aligned with the administration’s strategy.
WESM in Mindanao to start operations this month–DOE
The Department of Energy (DOE) has finally declared the start of the commercial operations of the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) in Mindanao more than 5 years after it was launched.
ALECO secures power from SMC
A unit of San Miguel Global Power (SMGP) will supply electricity to debt-ridden Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO), the power generation arm of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said.
NGCP seeks govt approval for transmission rate reset
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will start evaluating next month the application of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for a transmission rate reset.
EDC inks power supply deal with Visayas hospital
Energy Development Corp. (EDC) will start supplying power to Negros Oriental’s leading medical institution, Silliman University Medical Center Foundation, Inc. (SUMCFI), making it the first hospital in the island to be directly powered by geothermal energy.
Meralco, Aboitiz sign deal for 300-MW power supply
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) inked an emergency power supply agreement (EPSA) with GNPower Dinginin Ltd. of the Aboitiz Group for the supply of 300-MW baseload capacity starting December 15 until January 25, 2023.
PNOC EC seeking partners for Palawan exploration program
PNOC Exploration Corp. (PNOC EC) is soliciting bid offers to pursue a joint exploration program in offshore Palawan, west of Balabac Island.
IEMOP: Power spot prices fall by 7.48% in November
Electricity spot market prices in November declined by 7.48 percent to P8.53 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from October’s P9.22 per kWh mainly due to the cool weather which reduced the demand for power.
Lotilla leads PNOC-EC, DOE, Prime Infra visit to Malampaya project
THE Department of Energy (DOE) and the Philippine National Oil Co. Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) recently visited the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project (Malampaya) Shallow Water Platform to assess its condition and ensure continued operations and sustainability.
EDC unveils EVs in Leyte plant
Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is piloting the use of electric vehicles (EV) fueled by steam energy from the charging station that it built at its Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant in Kananga, Leyte.
Spectrum energizes solar facility
Spectrum, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), has energized the 98.28 kilowatt-peak (kWp) new solar rooftop facility of North Bound Infinity Real Estate and Development Inc. in Bulacan province.
Malampaya consortium: No live contract for Ilijan gas sale
THE Malampaya consortium said over the weekend that it is not refusing the sale of banked gas to SMC Global Power unit South Premier Power Corporation (SPPC), which operates the 1,200-MW Ilijan power plant in Batangas province.
Meralco sees power sales rising on demand recovery
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) expects electricity sales to grow by “close to 6 percent” this year compared to last year, buoyed by the strong recovery of various economic sectors.
Electricity bills to rise slightly in December as Meralco refund ends
ELECTRICITY bills this month will slightly go up by P0.3297 per kilowatt hour (kWh), bringing the overall rate for a typical household to P10.2769 per kWh from the previous month’s P9.9472 per kWh.
Govt, stakeholders tackle electricity costs in Davao
OFFICIALS from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Department of Energy (DOE) and four distribution utilities (DUs) in Davao region met to explore ways to bring down power-generation charges.
Consunji: NPC owes DMCI Power P1.3B
DMCI Power Corp. (DPC) officials said state firm National Power Corp. (NPC) has yet to pay the company P1.3 billion worth of fuel that was used by power plants under the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) in off-grid areas.
Synergy Grid declares cash dividend for Q4
Synergy Grid and Development Philippines Inc. (SGP), the indirect controlling shareholder of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), has declared a quarterly cash dividend of P0.26 per share totaling P1,369,125,160.
Meralco taps spot market for electricity requirement
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has started sourcing from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) the supply withheld by SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMCGP) which was the subject of the recent 60-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals (CA).
DPC plans foray into solar energy
DMCI Power Corp. (DPC) will venture into solar power next year, a move that will boost its energy portfolio to around 150megawatts (MW).
Meralco, First Gen to explore options for putting Ilijan gas plant back online
San Miguel Corp. (SMC), the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), and First Gen Corp. are going to discuss how they can put the Ilijan gas plant back on line so the grid would be injected with 1,200 megawatts (MW) of capacity.
PXP energy met with Chinese exploration firms, MVP confirms
BUSINESSMAN Manuel V. Pangilinan recently met with two Chinese exploration firms and discussed issues related to Service Contract (SC) 72.
ERC decision prompts San Miguel to stop supplying power to Meralco
SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMCGP), the power generation arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), said it would cease to supply power to the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) effective Wednesday.
Semirara sets aside ₧5.6B for capital spending plan
Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) is allocating P5.6 billion for next year’s capital expenditure (capex) program.
Aboitiz awards EPC deals to Ormat, Desco
AP Renewables Inc. (APRI), a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp., has tapped Ormat Technologies Inc. and Desco Inc. as engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors for its 17-megawatt (MW) binary geothermal power plant Tiwi, Albay.
NGCP hoists ‘yellow alert’ in Luzon as 4 power plants conk out
THE Luzon grid was placed on “yellow alert” on Monday afternoon, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said.
Semirara chief paints bleak outlook for energy supply
Semirara Mining & Power Corp. (SMPC) Chairman Isidro Consunji said the country’s power situation next year is going to be “more challenging than before” because of tight supply amid an improvement in the country’s economy.
SMC offers power from Ilijan plant
San Miguel Global Power (SMGP) is offering the full 1,200 megawatts (MW) capacity of its Ilijan natural gas plant to supply the power requirements of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for just a fraction of its capital cost.
PAVI Green expects to complete solar projects next year
PAVI Green Renewable Energy Inc. (PAVI Green) will complete the development of its 20megawatt (MW) solar power project in Bataan by early next year and possibly two more by the end of 2023.
EDC and MORE Power seek nod of ERC for supply deal
Energy Development Corp. (EDC) and MORE Electric and Power Corp. asked the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to approve their 5-year power supply agreement (PSA).
Ayala unit to complete deal to own Sinocalan solar plant this month
ACEN Corp. said Thursday it expects to complete the acquisition of Sinocalan Solar Power Corp. (SPPC) in the next few weeks.
Emperador unit taps Spectrum for solar project
Spectrum, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), has been tapped to install a two-megawatt peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Anglo Watsons Glass Inc.’s manufacturing plant in Laguna.
NEA names new officials of ISELCO
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) announced on Wednesday the appointments of key officials of Isabela Electric Cooperative (ISELCO).
Aboitiz BESS starts operations
Therma Marine Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), announced on Wednesday the start of the commercial operations of its first battery energy storage system (BESS).
Energy Regulatory Commission ignored impact of power rate hike–SMC unit
THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) “chose to look the other way” when it ruled against the petition for a temporary relief to recover part of the P15 billion in losses incurred by the units of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMCGP), the power arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said Monday.
Phoenix, Absolut Distillers agree on payment plan
Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. has reached an agreement with Absolut Distillers, Inc. (ADI) on the payment of its debts.
ERC issues order suspending collection of FIT-All
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has released an order suspending the collection of the Feed-in-Tariff Allowance (FIT-All) from December until February next year.
Cheaper fuel price at the pump today
OIL firms will implement nearly P4 per liter of rollback in diesel.
ERC okays DER draft rules in bid to ‘democratize’ power grid
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the draft rules for the Distributed Energy Resources (DER), a move that will “democratize” the grid.
NGCP: Luzon grid on ‘yellow alert’ on Monday due to forced outages
THE Luzon grid was placed on “yellow alert” on Monday after six power plants conked out and three more experienced below-capacity generation.
DOE: Extended electricity lifeline rate subsidy to be implemented fairly
THE Department of Energy (DOE) assured over the weekend that the extended electricity lifeline rate subsidy would be implemented fairly, following the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 11552.