A Department of Energy (DOE) official on Wednesday emphasized the crucial role of consumer participation in the government’s energy transition, noting that the success of energy programs is ultimately measured by the benefits they deliver to the public.

Speaking at a panel discussion during the Philippine Energy Transition Dialogue 2025 in Quezon City, DOE Undersecretary Mylene Capongcol highlighted several initiatives that directly empower electricity consumers, including the net metering program and policies that allow them to choose their own power suppliers.

Under the net metering program, consumers may install their own renewable energy systems—currently limited to solar power—to reduce their dependence on their distribution utility (DU). Any excess electricity generated is fed into the grid, and consumers receive bill credits in exchange.

Meanwhile, under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) framework mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), as well as the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), “contestable customers” with an average peak demand of at least 100 kilowatts (kW) over the past 12 months may select their preferred power supplier based on price or energy source.

Capongcol stressed that active consumer participation is essential to help the government refine these programs and develop more effective policies for the sector.

She noted that even for net metering alone, data on the number of installed solar systems is crucial to determine existing capacity and identify areas with potential for further development.

“Our electric power industry is actually structured and privatized, so power consumers have a big role through participation and support for renewable energy and power sector development,” she said.

“The deployment of distributed energy resources and consumer empowerment will be key drivers of our energy transition program,” she added.

PNA PHOTO