New ERC Rules Expand Private Participation in Transmission Projects

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has issued Resolution No. 18, Series of 2026, adopting the Implementing Rules for the development of transmission facilities by entities other than the primary Transmission Network Provider (TNP). Rooted in Section 9 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), this Resolution responds to the inability of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), as the sole TNP, to build grid infrastructure at a pace sufficient to accommodate committed generation projects. The framework is designed to mobilize private capital and government resources to bridge the existing transmission gap while ensuring that ultimate ownership of all transmission assets remains within the public sector through National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO).