EvoEnergi has become the first retail electricity supplier to power residential customers under the Energy Regulatory Commission's (ERC) retail aggregation program, kicking off the commercial rollout of a scheme that allows households to pool their electricity demand and choose their own power supplier.

The company said Tuesday that the country's first two residential retail aggregation groups officially began receiving electricity from EvoEnergi on 26 June, the same day the ERC's 100-kilowatt (kW) retail aggregation framework took effect.

The two groups comprise nine households in Barangay Blue Ridge A, Quezon City, and 13 households in Barangay Greenhills West, San Juan City.

"This is more than a market milestone; it is a major leap forward in achieving the core objectives of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA)," said Julian Lao, president of EvoEnergi.

"For many years, households have viewed electricity as a fixed expense with limited alternatives. Through the ERC's retail aggregation program, the collective demand of residents creates stronger purchasing power, unlocking customized energy solutions that would otherwise be out of reach for individual households," he added.

A member of the residential retail aggregation group in Barangay Greenhills West said the program gives communities an opportunity to reduce electricity costs by combining their demand.

"We discovered a powerful reality: the government is actively empowering households and villages to significantly lower their utility costs with zero upfront investment, simply through the power of aggregation," the resident said.

"This kind of partnership, which empowers electricity consumers even at the household level, is a true game-changer," the member added.

EvoEnergi said it is forming additional residential retail aggregation groups across Metro Manila as the retail electricity market expands to smaller consumers.

The company said it is coordinating with homeowners, community leaders, Manila Electric Co., the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, and the ERC to facilitate the switching process and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Under the ERC's Retail Competition and Open Access framework, smaller electricity consumers can combine their electricity demand to meet the minimum 100-kW threshold required to participate in the competitive retail electricity market.

Previously, only large electricity users qualified to directly choose their retail electricity supplier.