RA11357: AN ACT GRANTING SOLAR PARA SA BAYAN CORPORATION A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES AND MICROGRIDS IN THE REMOTE AND UNVIABLE, OR UNSERVED OR UNDERSERVED AREAS IN SELECTED PROVINCES OF THE PHILIP
Republic Act (RA) 11357, enacted on July 31, 2019, grants Solar Para Sa Bayan Corporation a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain distributed energy resources (DERs) and microgrids in remote, unviable, unserved, or underserved areas in the Philippines. The Act aims to improve access to sustainable energy in areas with limited or no electricity services.
What is RA 11357?
RA 11357 promotes the use of renewable energy technologies to provide electricity to remote and underserved areas, thereby contributing to rural development and reducing the country's reliance on fossil fuels.
Other Key Provisions:
Franchise Coverage: The franchise covers selected provinces in the Philippines, including Aklan, Aurora, Bohol, Cagayan, and others.
Manner of Operation: The grantee is required to operate and maintain its facilities in a proper and suitable manner.
Authority of the ERC and DOE: The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have the authority to regulate the grantee's operations.
Rates for Services: The grantee shall charge reasonable and just power rates as approved by the ERC.
Right of the Government: The government has the right to temporarily take over the grantee's facilities in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster, or disturbance of peace and order.
Term of Franchise: The franchise is valid for 25 years from the date of effectivity of the Act, unless sooner revoked.
Service Obligations: The grantee shall aim to provide and ensure full electrification for all or a substantial portion of the connected end users in the localities specified as remote and unviable, unserved, or underserved.
Penal Provisions: Failure to comply with the Act's provisions may result in financial penalties.