The Philippines’ Department of Energy has awarded 19 contracts to develop 1.57 GW renewable energy projects under the first round of the 2 GW Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP). The auction was held for solar, hydro, wind, and biomass projects in the country’s Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao regions.

The winning bids will be awarded 20-year power supply agreements. The projects are expected to commence operations between 2023 and 2025.

The Department of Energy launched the auction in March to allocate 2 GW of renewable energy capacity across its three main power territories.

Luzon

Subsidiaries of Solar Philippines won a cumulative capacity of 930 MW in Luzon. The projects included the 200 MW Concepcion Tarlac 2 Solar Power Project, the 280 MW Santa Rosa Nueva Ecija 2 Solar Power Project, and the 450 MW Tayabas Solar Power Project.

The 40.4 MW PAVI Green Naga Solar Power Project was awarded to PAVI Green Renewable Energy and the 99.98 MW Talugtug Solar Power Project to Greenergy Solutions.

Amihan Renewable Energy Corp won the 70 MW Caparispisan II Wind Power Project, while Solar Philippines Calatagan Corporation won the 30 MW Calatagan Wind Power Project. The 160 MW Balaoi and Caunayan Wind Power Project was allocated to Bayog Wind Power Corp and the 100.8 MW Kalayaan 2 Wind Power Project to CleanTech Global Renewables.

Cordillera Hydroelectric Power Corporation won the 60 MW Kapangan Hydroelectric Power Project and the 20 MW Sablan 1 Hydroelectric Power Project by Hedcor.

Visayas

The 300 MW Kananga-Ormoc Solar Power Project was awarded to Solar Philippines Visayas Corporation and the 13.2 MW Nabas 2 Wind Power Project to Petrowind Energy, Inc.

Mindanao

The 3.7 MW Malitbog Hydroelectric Power Project and 3.7 MW Silo-0 Hydroelectric Power Project were allocated to Philnewriver Power Corporation. Philnew Hydro Power Corporation bagged the 4.85 MW Mat-I 1 Hydroelectric Power Project and the 6.9 MW Clarin Hydroelectric Power Project.

Out of the 10 MW, 3.4 MW of Biomass Cogeneration Plant went to Cotabato Sugar Central Company. The 120 MW General Santos Solar Power Project was awarded to Solar Philippines Commercial Rooftop Projects.

In 2021, the Philippines issued guidelines to adopt energy-conserving building design and enhance the demand for energy-efficient materials and technologies. According to the guidelines, new and existing buildings must utilize solar energy technologies like solar heaters, solar air-conditioners, solar-powered lighting systems, and wind power systems to reduce commercial energy demand.

Mercom had earlier reported that the senate of the Philippines announced a proposal to reduce the cost of electricity for households and businesses through the adoption of rooftop solar, which was under scrutiny by the senate committee on energy. The bill sought to mandate all government agencies to install solar energy systems at their respective offices and buildings to supply at least 5% of energy requirements.