CEBU CITY — The Aboitiz Power Corp. is anticipating the implementation of the open access policy, even as it acknowledges that competition will be stiffer for industry players once such policy is rolled out in the market.

“We look forward for this open access policy to kick off so that electricity sourced from renewable energy will be offered to the consumers,” said Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) Chief Reputation Officer Sebastian Lacson in an interview recently.

Lacson said once the open access is introduced in the grid, consumers of electricity can immediately avail of the green electricity product branded by AP as “Cleanergy,” which is a portfolio of renewable energy sources like those from hydro and geothermal power generation.

Lacson said that when open access is established, Aboitiz Power will make “Cleanergy” an option for consumers who want to be environmental protectors while consuming sustainable energy.

“There is a market for renewable energy sources. It may be a little bit expensive, but in the long run, we see that people would be willing to pay extra for clean energy and help preserve the environment,” Lacson said.

Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and distributors, like the Aboitiz Power, have petitioned the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to allow interim open access in Luzon and Visayas, in view of the slow progress in the Government’s privatization of its power plants under the EPIRA or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, or RA 9136, approved in 2001.

Lacson said open access would soon be a reality in Luzon since nearly 70 percent of the assets of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) were actually privatized as provided by law.

“Open access will allow us to service customers outside our franchise area,” said Aboitiz Power President and Chief Executive Officer Erramon Aboitiz.

“However it will also be disadvantageous for us because other power companies will likewise be allowed to service those in our franchise area.”

Once the open access policy is approved, Aboitiz said Aboitiz Power will have to be more competitive and look for more ways to provide value added services to retain their existing consumers.

With open access in place, large electric users, or those with a minimum consumption of 750 kilowatt hours or more, can buy their electricity directly from the power generators.

These consumers will just have to pay the concerned distribution and transmission companies for using their wires in the process of delivering power.

Aboitiz said that open access will result to more competitive power price and transparent pricing once it is implemented.