Consumers spared from WESM delinquencies, IEMOP assures
The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) said that consumers do not bear the cost of delinquencies by non-compliant participants in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
In a statement on Tuesday, July 15, IEMOP said that WESM participants are required to settle their financial obligations, and these costs will not be passed on to consumers.
“Any amount unpaid by defaulting WESM customers is not passed on to consumers, nor are delinquencies subsidized by consumers,” IEMOP stated. "These remain as receivables of the generation companies and other sellers in the WESM."
Earlier, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) criticized IEMOP, alleging that higher electricity prices or market fees were being passed on to consumers due to non-compliant WESM members failing to fulfill their financial obligations.
On July 13, the PCCI said that these defaults negatively impact both the market and law-abiding market players, leading to financial difficulties for the latter.
“Imposing the burden on compliant WESM members effectively penalizes those who fulfill their financial obligations while relieving delinquent members of their responsibility,” the PCCI said.
The PCCI also noted IEMOP's authority to create a policy framework that would allow for the suspension and revocation of registration for delinquent members, thereby protecting both consumers and compliant participants.
IEMOP, for its part, explained that measures are in place to protect the interests of compliant members and to instill market discipline. The market operator assured that it issues timely default and suspension notices, along with financial penalties.
“These collected financial penalties have been flowed back to consumers through their respective distribution utilities, electric cooperatives, and electricity suppliers,” IEMOP elaborated. “We likewise support PCCI’s call for transparency in the billing practices of Retail Electricity Suppliers (RES).”
PCCI had urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to push for greater transparency for consumers regarding the itemized WESM charges for contestable customers.