Mabuhay Energy Corporation (MECO) President & CEO Jacqueline Castillo joined top energy executives and industry leaders in a high-impact panel discussion on the country’s fast-growing Commercial and Industrial (C&I) rooftop solar market during the 2nd Solar Energy Storage Future Philippines 2025 Conference, held at Conrad Manila on May 20, 2025.
In a session focused on the accelerating shift to decentralized energy solutions, Castillo underscored a transformative truth: power is now in the hands of the consumers.
“We’re at an era wherein the customers are more empowered than ever,” Castillo emphasized, pointing to a suite of government-backed programs that enable businesses and communities to take control of their energy choices by transitioning to Retail Electricity Supplier (RES) like Mabuhay Energy.
Castillo detailed three major programs that are reshaping the landscape for Commercial and Industrial (C&I) consumers:
- Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA): Refers to the broader retail electricity framework that includes Competitive Retail Electricity Market (CREM), which allows large consumers (500 kW and up) to directly contract with licensed suppliers.
- Green Energy Option Program (GEOP): Enables customers with just 100 kW demand to shift to renewable energy sources without contracting directly with a generator.
- Retail Aggregation Program (RAP): Allows smaller consumers such as subdivisions, business districts, or condominium groups to combine their electricity load—provided they have the same owner or are located within a contiguous area—to meet the 500 kW threshold required to fully participate in the program.
These programs were presented as mechanisms that benefit not only suppliers and generators but also consumers, particularly those seeking more sustainable and cost-effective energy choices. Castillo pointed out that awareness remains a key challenge. Despite the availability of these programs, many eligible consumers—especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and community-based organizations—are still unaware of their options. The panel underscored the need for a broader information campaign to ensure that these consumers are informed and able to act on their energy rights.
As Mabuhay Energy continues to support open access and consumer-driven reforms, MECO actively drives efforts to promote transparency, expand awareness, and education in the energy sector–ensuring that more Filipinos can participate in and benefit from a more inclusive and competitive electricity market.
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