Is Your Business Eligible for Open Access?
The RCOA threshold drops to 100kW in June 2026. Find out if your business qualifies to choose its own electricity supplier.
The 100kW threshold: who qualifies
Starting June 26, 2026, any Philippine business with an average monthly peak demand of 100 kilowatts or more can choose its own electricity supplier under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program. This threshold expansion — down from 500kW — makes approximately 12,000 additional businesses eligible for the first time.
How to check your demand
Your demand reading appears on your distribution utility bill, typically expressed in kilowatts (kW). Look for "demand" or "kW" on your monthly statement. If your average monthly peak demand consistently meets or exceeds 100kW, you qualify. If you are unsure how to read your bill, contact a licensed Retail Electricity Supplier — they can assess your eligibility based on your billing history at no cost.
What qualifies as 100kW demand
100kW of demand is common among mid-sized manufacturers, food processing facilities, commercial buildings and malls, educational institutions, hotels and resorts, hospital complexes, cold storage operations, BPO facilities, and data centers. If your business operates significant refrigeration, air conditioning, production machinery, or lighting loads, you likely meet or approach the threshold.
The Retail Aggregation Program: qualifying with multiple sites
If your individual site is below 100kW but you operate multiple locations within the same distribution utility franchise area, the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP) lets you combine demand across sites. This is designed for franchise networks, retail chains, property managers, and business groups with multiple facilities. Your RES coordinates the aggregation process.
What happens after you qualify
Once your eligibility is confirmed, the switching process takes approximately 90 days from the submission of your Letter of Intent (LOI) to your distribution utility. Your chosen Retail Electricity Supplier handles the regulatory coordination, metering arrangements, and transition logistics. Your power supply is never interrupted during the process.