Meralco processing applications for net metering program

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Electric Co. (Meralo), the country’s biggest power distributor, has so far received and processed 22 applications for a program that would allow its customers with renewable energy equipment in their homes or establishments to sell excess electricity to the power grid.

The so-called net metering program would allow electricity end-users who are updated in the payment of their electricity bills to their distribution utility to engage in distribution generation.

This means that they can generate electricity from renewable energy (RE) sources like solar, wind, biomass or such other RE systems not exceeding 100 kilowatts that can be installed within the end-users’ premises.

They can in turn, supply the electricity they generate in excess of what they can consume directly to their DU.  

“From the date of the effectivity of the net metering program, Meralco has received and processed 22 applications for Net Metering,” according to the documents from the company.

Toward the implementation of the program, Meralco said it is currently conducting internal training and campaign especially to the personnel at the frontline to continue to improve its processes as it builds its capacity to serve customers better.

Last July, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the power regulator, adopted the rules paving the way for the implementation of the net-metering program for renewable energy in the country.

“In a net-metering arrangement, the end-user maintains a two-way connection to the distribution system and is only charged or credited, as the case may be, for the difference between the electricity supplied by the DU and the electricity it supplies to the DU during times when it has excess RE generation,” the ERC said.