The Department of Energy (DoE) has certified four new projects as nationally significant, adding to its list of projects that will enjoy a faster permitting process under a law that seeks to ensure energy security in the country.
The department identified the four entities with newly issued certificates of energy project of national significance (EPNS) as Galoc Production Co., Energy Development Corp. (EDC), Therma Marine, Inc. and Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc.
Philippine Geothermal’s Mt. Malinao geothermal project was the latest to be certified on Sept. 20, although the DoE has yet to release details of the venture. The others include EDC, with its Mahanagdong geothermal brine optimization plant.
The issuance of the certificate for nationally significant projects is stipulated in Section 5 (a) of Executive Order (EO) No. 30 s. 2017, which intends to establish a simplified approval process and harmonize the relevant rules and regulations of all government agencies involved in the permitting process.
