More Industries Embrace RAP for Competitive Electricity

More sectors have joined the government’s Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), reflecting a growing shift in electricity sourcing through the Competitive Retail Electricity Market (CREM).

According to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), back-to-back switching ceremonies on June 16, 2025, marked the entry of two retail electricity suppliers—MPower and EvoEnergi—and their respective clients across industries like real estate, manufacturing, hospitality, and logistics.

At an MPower ceremony at The Westin Manila in Mandaluyong, DMCI Homes officially enrolled in RAP, covering 14 common-area accounts from developments like Rosewood Pointe in Taguig and Tivoli Garden Residences in Mandaluyong.

DMCI Homes becomes the first real estate sector champion in RAP, with other properties including La Verti Residences, Sheridan Towers, Flair Towers, One Castilla Place, Zinnia Towers, and Tivoli Garden Residences joining CREM.

Later that day, EvoEnergi held another switching event at Ace Water Spa Hotel in Pasig, onboarding over 20 companies spanning food, chemical and garment manufacturing, electronics, coatings, logistics and retail—aggregating a total demand of 9.6 megawatts.

Industry participants described the program as a “game-changer” for cost savings and operational flexibility, noting initial transition challenges but quick improvements in control over their electricity sourcing.

ERC Chairperson and CEO Monalisa C. Dimalanta said RAP allows homeowners, businesses and institutions to pool electricity demand for better-negotiated rates, calling it a “pivotal step toward … energy democracy.”

Dimalanta has in recent months spearheaded efforts to broaden awareness of CREM and RAP through partnerships, including an outreach campaign with energy lawyers and electric cooperatives across the Philippines.

In February 2025, the ERC reported that at least four other major electricity users had switched under expanded RAP, including Manila Water serving ten treatment facilities and expected participation from schools and malls.

RAP allows multiple end users within a contiguous area to aggregate demand—typically 500 kW or more—and contract directly with preferred suppliers for competitive electricity rates.

Launched under ERC Resolution No. 4 Series of 2022, RAP forms part of broader reforms—including Net Metering, the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) and Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA)—aimed at fostering a competitive retail electricity market in the Philippines.

Dimalanta said the expanded RAP represents “a milestone we have only previously just imagined” and expressed hope that real estate, retail, manufacturing and other sectors would continue embracing the program.

The Retail Aggregation Program was formalized under ERC Resolution No. 4 Series of 2022 to enable pooled electricity demand for better market access.

Originally targeting large consumers, the expanded RAP now includes smaller businesses and contiguous consumers with minimum demand thresholds.

The CREM framework also includes avenues such as RCOA, Net Metering, GEOP, and Distributed Energy Resources to empower consumer choice and promote clean energy expansion.