Manila: The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the amended rules for the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) by distribution utilities (DUs), supporting the digital shift of the energy’s power distribution sector.

According to Philippines News Agency, AMI involves a system that integrates smart meters, communication platforms, and data management systems that allow both the consumers and DUs to check data on real-time power consumption, automated billing, outage detection, and remote service management.

ERC, in a press release Tuesday, stated that the amended rules provide for a ‘stronger regulatory framework for the country’s transition toward a smart, secure, and consumer-empowered electricity distribution network.’ ERC chief Francis Saturnino Juan remarked that the new rules, which update the 2016 guidelines, ‘mark a milestone in the digital transformation of the country’s power distribution sector.’

‘By enabling real-time data exchange and empowering both utilities and consumers, we are laying the foundation for a smarter, more secure, and inclusive energy future,’ Juan said. The amended rules took into consideration technological advancements, global best practices, and evolving consumer and market demands, while ensuring that safeguards on data privacy and cybersecurity are in place.

The rules also provide for a simpler approval process for capital expenditure projects needed to implement the AMI, or an alternative that will be part of the DUs’ reset process. ERC stated that the new rules back the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Smart Grid Roadmap and various retail market reforms, including Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), and Net-Metering for renewable energy.

“By mandating interoperability and standardization, the ERC aims to foster integration of renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and distributed energy resources into the grid, paving the way for a more resilient and efficient power system,” the press release reads.