Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Amended Biofuels Act of 2006, DOE Department Circular No. DC 2016-07-0012 of 2016 (Philippines)

The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Amended Biofuels Act provide for the exemption of natural gas power plants in utilizing the mandated biodiesel blend as provided in the Biofuels Act of 2006. Natural gas plants are allowed to use neat diesel (pure, unblended diesel) as alternative fuel during shortages of natural gas supplied. This is in accordance with the declared policy of the State to ensure quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power. It appears that the use of biodiesel significantly reduced the capacity of a power plant. Thus, the Rules provide that the use of neat diesel is allowed during maintenance and/or shutdown of facilities for the supply of natural has (.g., pipelines, terminal), during force majeure adversely affecting supply of natural gas, or other analogous instances. The Department of Energy shall issue a certification in case of a natural gas supplies shortage event.