The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said that it has yet to finalize its review of projects by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

In a statement on Friday, May 23, ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta clarified that the project costs will need evaluation and approval during NGCP’s regulatory reset process.

“[As] stated in the Commission’s various orders covering these projects, the cost for each approved everal capital expenditure (capex) project is currently considered only for the purpose of computing the permit fee and does not reflect the final cost as approved,” she said.

According to Dimalanta, even with previously approved project costs, these will still undergo review and adjustments based on actual usage and incurred expenses, in accordance with the Amended Rules for Setting of Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR) and other relevant issuances of the commission.

“These CAPEX projects are critical in strengthening our power grid, to ensure a more reliable and secure electricity supply for Filipino households, businesses, and industries,” the ERC chief emphasized.

“But at the same time, it is also important to emphasize that the final costs of these projects will still undergo careful review and deliberation by the Commission to ensure consumers pay only for what is necessary and reasonable,” she added.

Earlier this week, the ERC said that the application for NGCP’s refiled CAPEX projects was deferred due to pending issues that needed resolution.

The Western Luzon 500 kilovolts (kV) backbone project, amounting to ₱18 million, will be subject to optimization based on actual use and verification of expenses incurred, using the project’s supporting documents. The ERC noted that this project is expected to be completed on or before October 31, 2027.

Similarly, the proposed Nagasaag-Santiago 500 kV transmission line project, valued at ₱13 billion, will also be subject to optimization.

This project is expected to be completed on or before Nov. 30, 2030.