The Department of Energy (DOE) has overhauled its Green Energy Auction Program, significantly boosting the capacity for waste-to-energy initiatives while temporarily halting the nation’s inaugural offshore wind bidding round to resolve infrastructure and regulatory bottlenecks.
According to the DOE, these adjustments aim to stimulate private sector investments in renewables as the Philippines races to meet its target of a 35 percent clean energy share in its power generation mix by 2030.
To fortify alternative baseload power sources, the energy department reactivated the sixth round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-6), which focuses on waste-to-energy technologies. The revised plan raises the total installation target to 400 megawatts (MW), up from the initial 230 MW proposal.
Winning bidders under GEA-6 must achieve mechanical completion by December 31, 2028, and achieve full commercial operations before the close of 2029. To widen market participation, the DOE expanded the qualification pool to permit biomass firms that utilize thermal combustion systems capable of processing municipal solid waste. Prospective suppliers have until July 31 to sign up.
Conversely, the fifth auction round (GEA-5)—which initially targeted 3,300 MW of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity—has been placed on indefinite hold. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) had previously set a provisional price cap of ₱11 per kilowatt-hour for this round to secure financial viability.
The DOE noted that the suspension provides a window for state agencies and industry players to re-evaluate the program against domestic and international headwinds. The upcoming review will assess port capabilities, capital expenditures, land-use and environmental clearances, regulatory fees, and the integration of offshore power into the local grid infrastructure through transmission simulations.
Stricter readiness criteria and shorter delivery timelines will be integrated into future bidding parameters, with a new timeline for GEA-5 to be issued following inter-agency reviews.