The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has cleared five power generation projects—totaling 629.384 megawatts (MW)—to build and operate dedicated point-to-point transmission lines for direct connection to the national grid.
This development, formalized in May but made public over the weekend, allows the projects to bypass third-party transmission developers and tie in directly with National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) infrastructure.
The approval includes four renewable energy projects and one battery energy storage system (BESS), reflecting the country’s grid modernization and clean energy integration program.
Among the approved projects:
- Sapang Balen Solar Sustainable Energy Corp. leads with a 463.995 MW solar plant in Pampanga, to be linked to NGCP’s 230 kV Mexico-Concepcion line and Magalang substation.
- Cornerstone Energy Development Inc. will connect its 58.5 MW wind project in Camarines Sur via NGCP’s Naga–Libmanan 69 kV line.
- Megasol Energy 1 Inc. received approval for a 41.244 MW solar project in Isabela, tying into the Gamu-Roxas 69 kV line.
- Energy Development Corp. will link its 5.645 MW geothermal plant in Negros Occidental to the Bacolod 138 kV substation.
- SMGP Power BESS Inc. will connect its 60 MW battery facility in Laguna to NGCP’s 69 kV Lumban substation.
ERC’s decision underscores growing regulatory support for direct grid connections, streamlining renewable and storage integration and enabling faster deployment of clean energy resources in line with national decarbonization and energy security goals.
