Meralco customers now can sell excess renewable energy back to utility

Meralco customers now can sell excess renewable energy back to utility
By:  Euan Paulo C. Anonuevo, 
InterAksyon.com
August 5, 2013 4:23 PM

MANILA - Meralco customers who use renewable energy equipment in their homes or establishments may now sell excess electricity to the power grid.

Ivanna G. de la Peña, Manila Electric Co first vice president and regulatory affairs head, told reporters that customers who wish to sell electricity to the grid need only go to the nearest Meralco branch to apply.

"This is now an opportunity for them to sell excess power," she said.

Under the net metering program, consumers or with solar power installations, may sell the electricity they produce to Meralco.

The amount they generate, which would be based on Meralco's per kilowatt-hour generation charge, would then be offset from their current bills.

As of last week, Meralco already processed two applications from a residential and commercial customer, de la Peña said.

"Meron naman existing [customers with solar installations] kaso kapapasa lang ng Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ng net metering," she said.

Section 10 of Republic Act No. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 mandates the ERC, in consultation with the National Renewable Energy Board, to establish the net metering interconnection standards and pricing methodology.  

Net metering aims to spur the use of renewable energy installations among consumers to reduce the country's reliance on conventional power facilities.

InterAksyon.com is the online news portal of TV5, which like Meralco is chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan.