The Energy Regulatory Commission approved Manila Electric Co.’s relocation project in connection with the implementation of several “Build, Build, Build” projects of the Department of Transportation.
The ERC said the relocation cost would be shouldered by the DOTr amounting to P9.97 billion and not be recovered by Meralco.
“Considering the impact of the implementation of the project to electricity consumers of Meralco, the commission deemed that funding for the relocation project cost, as well as the expansion cost, be scrutinized. After all, the costs that will be shouldered by the DOTr under the MOA will likewise be settled through taxpayer’s contribution to national coffers,” it said.
The regulator, however, disapproved the petition of Meralco for approval of its expansion project amounting to P4.24 billion. It said it could not validate the component parts and costing due to insufficient data and was thus constrained to disapprove the expansion project.
It said Meralco could still re-file the subject project within 30 days from the receipt of the decision, as the commission sees the importance of the project in addressing the identified issues.
Meralco previously filed a petition for contingency projects for the relocation of electrical facilities in connection with the various BBB projects.
These projects involve the Common Station Project, Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1, North-South Commuter Railway System (composed of PNR North 1, PNR North 2, and PNR South Commuter) and PNR South Long Haul (Manila-Sorsogon-Batangas).
Meralco said the DOTr projects would affect 154 distribution circuits and 18 sub-transmission circuits and involve 10, 372 poles.
The DOTr projects will be implemented by Meralco in phases through the relocation of the affected facilities to give way to the construction poles. Meralco will permanently install poles and electrical facilities in the space with corresponding rights-of-way to be provided by the Philippine National Railways.
The relocation will use a combination of overhead bare conductors and spun cables on concrete poles and underground construction using horizontal drilling and power cables.