The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is eyeing to collaborate with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) on an initiative aimed at fast-tracking the approval of the electric cooperative’s capital expenditure (CapEx) projects.
In a recent meeting between the NEA and ERC officials led by Administrator Edgardo Masongsong and Chairperson Agnes Devanadera, respectively, the adoption of a planning tool called “enhanced Integrated Computerized Planning Model (e-ICPM)” was discussed.
Masongsong said the program, originally called ICPM, was started by the NEA in early 2000s and has undergone numerous improvements over the years.
“The e-ICPM is a homegrown software that helps ECs in crafting their two-year work plan.”
“This has been perfected through the years,” the NEA chief said.
“The e-ICPM as a good tool, noting that the ERC was part of the original group to “ensure regulatory requirements were considered.”
NEA Rural Electrification Project Planning and Development Division Manager Luisa Hernandez explained e-ICPM is a homegrown software that helps ECs in crafting their two-year work plan, which includes their CapEx projects.
“The e-ICPM is a computer software designed to integrate and harmonize most of the data required from the ECs using MS Office Platform and Visual Basic,” Hernandez said.
The program is composed of four components namely, load forecast, technical, financial, and institutional.
ERC Commissioner Josefina Patricia Asirit described e-ICPM as a “good tool,” noting that the ERC was part of the original group to “ensure regulatory requirements were considered.”
NEA officials also had a meeting with ERC commissioners in March 2017 to discuss the possible partnership to adopt e-ICPM as a tool for evaluating the EC’s CapEx application.
Other concerns discussed in a meeting between the NEA and ERC on November 9 were the harmonization of NEA-ERC definitions and formulas, and the NEA Business Intelligence Technology (BIT) system.
ERC Commissioners Catherine Maceda and Alexis Lumbatan also joined Chairperson Devanadera during the meeting. Also present were NEA Deputy Administrators Goldelio Rivera, Rossan Rosero-Lee, Sonia San Diego and Artis Nikki Tortola.
The meeting was held at the NEA office in Diliman, Quezon City.
