The Department of Energy of the Philippines, through its Green Energy Auction program, launched an auction to allocate 2 GW of renewable energy capacity across its three main power territories.

The department is expected to allocate 1.26 GW of solar power capacity, 380 MW of wind power, 180 MW of biomass, and 80 MW of hydropower capacity.

Of the 1.26 GW of solar capacity, 900 MW of solar projects will be installed in Luzon, 260 MW in Visayas, and the remaining 100 MW in Mindanao. Meanwhile, Luzon and Visayas will install 360 MW and 20 MW of wind capacity, respectively.

Last month, the Manilla Electricity Company, a Philippines-based power distribution company, invited bids to develop 850 MW of renewable energy projects in the country. The tender is expected to deploy 600 MW of renewable power capacity by February 26, 2026. The remaining 250 MW is to be commissioned by February 26, 2027.

The company will sign a 20-year power purchase agreement with the successful bidder.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Philippines had 6.83 GW of renewable energy capacity until 2020. It accounted for 27% of the total power generation capacity. Hydropower accounted for 3.02 GW, solar for 1.04 GW, and wind for 443 MW capacity. The country also had 393 MW of bioenergy capacity as of 2020.

In November 2021, the country proposed the National Renewable Energy Program 2020-2040. The program set a target to achieve 35% of renewable energy share in the power generation mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

Earlier in 2021, the Philippines issued guidelines for adopting energy-conserving building design and enhancing the demand for energy-efficient materials and technologies. According to the guidelines issued by the Department of Energy, 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 the energy requirements.

 

 

 

Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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