Enviro News Asia, Manila — The Department of Energy (DOE) emphasized the central role of consumer participation in advancing the Philippines’ transition to cleaner energy during the Philippine Energy Transition Dialogue 2025 in Quezon City on Wednesday. DOE Undersecretary Mylene Capongcol stated that the effectiveness of the government’s energy transition policies depends on whether consumers directly benefit from them.
Capongcol highlighted programs that enable households and businesses to take an active role in the power sector, including the net metering program and mechanisms that allow eligible consumers to choose their electricity suppliers. The net metering scheme permits consumers to install renewable energy systems—currently limited to solar—reducing dependence on distribution utilities while supporting supply through exported excess energy. Consumers receive bill credits for the surplus power they feed into the grid.
She also explained that the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), mandated under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, and the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) provide “contestable customers” with average peak demand of at least 100 kilowatts the ability to select power suppliers based on preferred sources and pricing.
Capongcol noted that active consumer engagement is essential to help the DOE measure installed renewable capacity, identify areas with additional development potential, and shape future policies. She stressed that the country’s privatized power industry places consumers in a significant position to support renewable energy expansion.
She concluded that distributed energy resources and strengthened consumer empowerment will reinforce the government’s energy transition initiatives. (*)
