By Alena Mae S. Flores – April 12, 2023, 6:30 pm from manilastandard.net Manila Electric Co. is studying its supply options, with assurance that it will procure at "least cost", after the Department of Energy imposed a moratorium on exemptions from the competitive selection process or bidding. Meralco and other distribution utilities undertake a CSP when procuring their supply, but certain exemptions apply such as emergency procurement. Meralco asked for DOE for exemptions from the CSP after some of its supply contracts were terminated by the power generators. It also has pending exemption requests for additional supply during the dry months when demand is high. "Even with the moratorium on COEs (certificate of exemptions), DUs still need to comply with their mandate to supply their captive markets in the least cost manner. Thus, Meralco will continue to evaluate and optimize all sources of supply to meet this mandate," Meralco head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said.