Philippines

The country’s energy regulator has decided to reduce the levy that finances the FIT program for renewable energy from P 0.2563/kWh to P 0.2226 ($0.004)/kWh. The lower levy is expected to go into effect next month.

The Philippines’ Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has said the removal of the 100 kW cap for solar installations under net metering would be difficult for the nation’s grid to accomodate. Meanwhile, a proposal to raise the threshhold is being discussed in the country’s Senate.

Under the current scheme, rooftop PV remains far below its huge potential in the country. Regulatory, administrative and financial hurdles are preventing more electricity consumers from installing rooftop arrays, as well as the resistance of local utilities.

In a tender for 50 MW of solar, local PV module manufacturer and project developer, Solar Philippines submitted a bid of P2.34 (US$0.044) per kWh.

A subsidiary of Manila-based logistics firm, Harbor Star Shipping Services has agreed to acquire a 60% stake in Astronergy Development Gensan (ADGI), which owns the rights to build a 25 MW solar project in the Philippines.

PetroEnergy’s clean energy subsidiary receives environmental clearances for construction of 10 MW solar PV plant in the country. Project is the oil firm’s second solar foray.

The property firm aims to reach that figure within five years, beginning with the commissioning of a 160 MW solar pipeline this year.

The Philippine conglomerate Ayala Corporation’s energy-focused arm AC Energy Holdings Inc. has taken control of Bronzeoak Clean Energy (BCE) and San Carlos Clean Energy (SCCE).

German PV system integrator is to built four more PV rooftop systems on the island state. In 2016 Phoenix Solar already completed two solar projects in the Philippines.