ERC sets grid market share limits

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Thursday announced it has issued a resolution setting the Installed Generating Capacity (IGC) and Market Share Limitation (MSL) per grid and for the national grid for 2026, as part of its efforts to promote fair competition and protect electricity consumers.

In a statement, the ERC said it issued Resolution No. 17, series of 2026, which establishes the updated generating capacity figures for the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids, as well as the corresponding market share limits allowed under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.

Under the law, no single company or related group may own, operate, or control more than 30% of the installed generating capacity of a grid, and no more than 25% of the national installed generating capacity.

For 2026, the ERC set the following Installed Generating Capacity and Market Share

Limitation levels:

• Luzon Grid at 20,422,806 kilowatt (kW) with a 30% market share limit equivalent to 6,126,842 kW
• Visayas Grid at 3,478,324 kW with a limit of 1,043,497 kW
• Mindanao Grid at 4,295,915 kW with a limit of 1,288,775 kW
• National Grid at 28,197,045 kW with a 25% market share limit equivalent to 7,049,261 kW

The ERC said the updated figures were determined using the Maximum Stable Load of generation facilities, which refers to the maximum dependable output that a power plant can reliably sustain based on capability tests.

“Healthy competition in the power sector is essential to ensuring reliable electricity supply and protecting consumers from unreasonable prices. By regularly updating the Installed Generating Capacity and Market Share Limitation, the ERC helps prevent market dominance and promotes a level playing field for all industry participants,” said ERC chairperson and CEO Francis Saturnino Juan.

The ERC chief added that the updated figures also support better planning and monitoring of the country’s growing and evolving power sector, especially with the continued entry of renewable energy, battery energy storage systems, and other new technologies.

“The Philippine energy sector continues to expand and modernize. This Resolution allows the ERC to more accurately reflect the actual operating capacities of power plants nationwide, while ensuring that competition remains fair, transparent, and beneficial to consumers,” said Juan. — BM, GMA News