Mabuhay Energy Corporation
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Stage 1outer-ring4 min readMay 24, 2026

What to Expect in Your First 90 Days on Open Access

Ano ang Aasahan sa Unang 90 Araw Mo sa Open Access

You signed the contract and submitted your LOI. Now what? A practical timeline of what happens in your first three months after switching to a Retail Electricity Supplier.

Table of Contents

The transition begins: days 1–30

After your Letter of Intent is accepted by your distribution utility, the formal 90-day transition process begins. In the first month, your Retail Electricity Supplier coordinates with the Retail Metering Service Provider (RMSP) to schedule your interval meter installation. This meter records your electricity demand in 15-minute intervals — a significant upgrade from the simple monthly reading your distribution utility meter provides.

During this period, your RES also finalizes the Retail Supply Contract details, confirms your demand profile based on historical billing data, and begins the registration process with the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP). Your power supply continues normally throughout.

Metering upgrade: days 15–45

The interval meter installation is the most visible step in the transition. A technician from the RMSP visits your facility to install or upgrade your metering equipment. The installation typically takes a few hours and does not require a power interruption. Your facilities team should be available to provide access to the metering location.

Once installed, the interval meter begins recording your consumption and demand data. This data forms the foundation of your itemized billing and the consumption analytics available through your RES's reporting tools.

Regulatory processing: days 30–75

While metering is being set up, your RES completes the regulatory coordination with your distribution utility and IEMOP. This includes confirming your registration as a contestable customer, establishing the billing and settlement arrangements, and coordinating the supply transition date. This is paperwork-intensive work that your RES handles entirely on your behalf.

Go-live and first billing cycle: days 75–90

On your go-live date, your electricity supply formally transitions from your distribution utility's bundled rate to your RES supply arrangement. The physical delivery of electricity does not change — the same distribution network delivers your power. What changes is your billing relationship: instead of a single-line bill, you receive itemized reporting showing exactly what you pay for generation, transmission, system losses, and other line items.

Your first RES bill typically arrives within 30 days of go-live. Take the time to review it with your RES account manager — they can walk you through each line item and explain how the charges relate to your consumption patterns.

After day 90: ongoing partnership

Once the transition is complete, the ongoing relationship begins. You have access to consumption dashboards, monthly demand reports, and a dedicated account manager. Your RES monitors your usage patterns and can flag anomalies or opportunities for optimization. This is the visibility and partnership that makes open access valuable beyond just the supply arrangement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my power be interrupted during the transition?
No. Your power supply continues uninterrupted throughout the 90-day transition. The physical delivery of electricity through your distribution utility's network does not change. Only the supply arrangement and billing relationship changes on your go-live date.
When will I see my first itemized bill?
Your first itemized bill from your RES typically arrives within 30 days of your go-live date. It will show a full line-item breakdown of generation charges, transmission fees, system losses, and ancillary services — the detail that was never visible on your distribution utility bill.
What if something goes wrong during the transition?
Your Retail Electricity Supplier manages the entire transition process and coordinates with your distribution utility and the metering service provider. If any issue arises — metering delays, paperwork corrections, scheduling conflicts — your RES handles the resolution. You have a dedicated point of contact throughout.
Do I need to do anything on my end during the 90 days?
Minimal involvement is needed from your side. Your RES may need access to your metering location for the interval meter installation, and your facilities team should be aware of the scheduled installation date. Beyond that, your RES manages the regulatory and coordination steps.
Can I cancel during the 90-day transition?
The LOI submission initiates a formal regulatory process. While cancellation is possible, it involves coordination with the distribution utility and may delay future switching attempts. Discuss any concerns with your RES before submitting the LOI.

See how the process works

From eligibility assessment to ongoing management — here is what switching looks like.

How it works →