The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), represented by Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan and Market Operations Service (MOS) Director Sharon Montañer, underscored the importance of strengthening energy resilience and flexibility in achieving energy security during the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Energy Forum titled “Beyond the Crisis: Defining the New Era of Philippine Energy,” held at Frabelle Corporate Plaza.
Opening the forum, EJAP President John Ted Cordero emphasized the need to spark meaningful dialogue on what lies ahead for the country amid growing global uncertainties, particularly the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and their implications for the Philippine energy sector.
In his keynote speech, Juan reflected on the recent Yellow and Red Alerts experienced across Luzon and the Visayas, noting that these revealed the country’s growing need for flexibility and fast-response capacity, particularly during the late afternoon and evening hours when solar generation tapers while electricity demand remains high.
“The ERC intends to revisit reserve requirements, and accelerate the procurement of ancillary services and energy storage systems.”
He also laid out key regulatory directions the ERC intends to pursue in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE) and stakeholders, including revisiting reserve requirements, accelerating the procurement of ancillary services and energy storage systems, strengthening demand-side management mechanisms, enhancing grid interconnection, and improving public access to real-time energy information.
Meanwhile, Montañer joined DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella, MGEN Renewables President and CEO Dennis Jordan, Prime CoreGen President and CEO Jose Victor Emmanuel De Dios, and Atty. Jose Layug Jr. of DivinaLaw in a panel discussion moderated by Philippine STAR Business Editor Iris Gonzales. The discussion focused on advancing a more resilient, reliable, and sustainable energy future for the Philippines through stronger energy security, improved renewable energy integration, expanded storage capacity, and policies that promote greater flexibility in the power sector.
“Achieving energy security must go hand in hand with building a more resilient and flexible power system.”
Montañer emphasized that achieving energy security must go hand in hand with building a more resilient and flexible power system, particularly by ensuring adequate storage capacity and sufficient reserves to support the growing share of renewable energy and meet rising electricity demand.
Through its participation, the ERC reaffirmed its commitment to responsive and forward-looking regulation that supports energy resilience, consumer welfare, and a more secure and sustainable energy future for the Filipino people.
