ILOILO CITY – The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) successfully convened the Philippine Electric Power Industry Forum (PEPIF) 2024 on April 5th at the Iloilo Convention Center (ICON). Held under the theme “Powering a Sustainable and Secure Energy Future for the Country,” the forum brought together key stakeholders from across the Philippine electric power industry for two days of engaging discussions and presentations.

The event commenced with the Market Participants Update (MPU) on April 4th at the Courtyard by Marriott in Iloilo City. This annual gathering provided IEMOP a platform to apprise Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) members of the latest market operations developments.

This crucial gathering provided IEMOP a platform to apprise Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) members of the latest market operations developments. Here’s a glimpse into some of the key takeaways from the MPU:

• Opening Keynote by Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara, Ph.D., Undersecretary of the Department of Energy: Dr. Guevara’s keynote addressed the government’s perspective on the energy sector, potentially outlining national priorities and upcoming initiatives of the Department of Energy.
• Market Operation Highlights by Isidro E. Cacho, Head Trading Operations Department of IEMOP: Mr. Cacho’s presentation focused on the nitty-gritty of WESM operations. He presented updates on trading activities, insights on market transactions and generation mix, and recent technical developments that could impact WESM participants.
• Enforcement and Compliance Updates by Atty. Ma. Hazel Gubaton-Lopez, Chief Enforcement and Compliance Officer of Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC): Ms. Gubaton-Lopez’s session informed participants about compliance monitoring, reserve market compliance, WCO Certification and registration, and compliance-related rule amendments and developments.

Watch the full event here.

The interactive environment of the MPU fostered open communication, allowing trading participants to raise concerns and seek clarification on the presented updates, ensuring they remain compliant and informed WESM operators.

PEPIF 2024 featured a comprehensive agenda exploring critical aspects of the Philippines’ energy transition:

• Philippine Energy Transition Plan: Experts examined the government’s roadmap for clean energy, highlighting opportunities in renewables like solar, wind, and geothermal, while acknowledging grid integration, and other challenges
• Regulations for RE Development: Discussions centered on policies and market mechanisms that can incentivize investments in renewable energy projects.
• Rural Electrification with Renewables: The session focused on how renewable energy can play a pivotal role in achieving 100% rural electrification through innovative solutions
• PEPIF 2024 culminated in a dynamic panel discussion featuring industry professionals like Mylene Capongcol from the Department of Energy, Fernando Martin Roxas of National Power Corporation, and ACEN Corporation’s COO Miguel De Jesus. Joining them were academic experts like Dr. Fernando Aldaba Ph.D., Keiju Mitsuhashi from the Asian Development Bank, Aboitiz Renewables Inc.’s President and COO, James Villamoran, and of course, IEMOP’s President and CEO, Atty. Richard J. Nethercott. The discussion focused on charting a course toward a sustainable and secure energy future. Panelists emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors, leveraging technological advancements, and empowering consumers to actively participate in the energy transition.

Watch the full event here

Further solidifying their commitment to the industry, Exist Software Labs, Inc. offered a FREE Basic Trading Application at the event. This application provides essential functionalities for WESM participants, including a Real-time view of RTD, HAP, and DAP and Compliance, MMS Offering Submission, Integration with MMS and IEMOP public website data, and more. By offering this free platform, Exist Software Labs, Inc. demonstrates its dedication to empowering market participants and fostering a more efficient Energy industry in the country.

With a proven track record of success, Exist Software Labs, Inc. has been empowering energy companies in the Philippines for years, with notable clients including The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines Inc. (IEMOP) and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC).  Looking ahead, Exist Software Labs, Inc. is committed to playing a key role in accelerating the Philippines’ transition to a clean and efficient energy future.

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