Manila-based firm PJS Law advised WEnergy Global, a renewable energy company headquartered in Singapore, and Philippine developer Archipelago Renewables II Corporation (ARCII), on the launch of a PHP2.1 billion (USD35 million) off-grid microgrid initiative across the country.
The initiative is poised to become the country’s largest private-sector effort for rural electrification, with the PHP2.1 billion being allocated to deliver reliable electricity to more than 11,500 households in underserved communities across Palawan, Cebu and Quezon.
Partners Joshua Gilbert F Paraiso, who also heads the dispute resolution practice, and Mary Gladys Stephanie Consunji led the PJS Law team.
“PJS Law advised and provided legal and regulatory guidance with respect to the approval of ARCII’s application for authorisation to provide electricity service as a microgrid system service provider in eight unserved and underserved areas across Palawan, Cebu and Quezon,” Consunji told Asia Business Law Journal.
Consunji added that PJS Law co-ordinated with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in preparing and filing the application, and assisted with compliance on jurisdictional and local relations.
The firm also supported clean energy developer ARCII in conducting and completing public hearings across service areas with relevant representatives from the ERC, National Power Corporation and Members-Consumers-Owners.
The initiative, which involves 24 projects, is being undertaken by the Maharlika Consortium. The consortium comprises WEnergy Global, Singapore-based renewable energy semiconductor manufacturer CleanGrid Partners, and Manila-based investment and project development joint venture Maharlika Clean Power, through its special purpose vehicle, Archipelago Renewables Corporation.
Paraiso said the venture had made significant progress following the promulgation of the Microgrid Systems Act, which paved the way for microgrid service providers to provide rural communities with closer and better access to reliable renewable energy.
He added that regulators, including the Department of Energy and the ERC, worked together to support the policy by introducing key regulations to ensure these projects were implemented swiftly and properly.
PJS Law did not work with other law firms on this initiative.
