Manila: Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) is calling for more consumers in the Visayas region to participate in the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program following the Energy Regulatory Commission's (ERC) decision to lower the eligibility threshold to 100 kilowatt-hour (kWh).

According to Philippines News Agency, Ralph Nickoloe Feliciano, MGEN's head of commercial and planning relationship management, noted that participation in the RCOA remains low in the Visayas. During a recent media roundtable, Feliciano emphasized the importance of promoting RCOA alongside other services provided by MGEN Retail Electricity Supplier Inc. (MGEN RES).

RCOA allows qualified consumers the opportunity to choose their electricity supplier rather than depending solely on their local distribution utility. Interested parties must first engage in the Retail Aggregation Program and establish a supply contract to switch suppliers. The lowered 100-kWh threshold, which equates to the electricity usage of approximately 10 households, extends the program's accessibility to smaller consumers, including residential communities, villages, and condominiums.

Feliciano explained the benefits of partnering with MGEN, highlighting that customers can source electricity directly from power plants or the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market via a retail electricity supplier, without altering the physical delivery of electricity. The shift to RCOA does not necessitate new investments or additional capital from customers, provided they meet eligibility requirements and sign a contract with a supplier.

The RCOA program, available nationwide to grid-connected consumers, mandates a minimum transition period of 90 days under ERC's regulations. Feliciano mentioned that in areas like Iloilo, consumers can already switch suppliers, with MGEN RES catering to some bulk users in the region.

MGEN RES, traditionally serving commercial customers, can now extend its services to residential communities, villages, and condominiums due to the reduced threshold. The company also plans to offer value-added services such as rooftop solar installations to help customers manage their electricity consumption more effectively. Meanwhile, MGEN Thermal Energy Inc. president and CEO Arnel Santos reaffirmed the company's commitment to reliability as a power generator.