THE Department of Energy (DOE) said it has increased the renewable power capacity for bidding and moved the timelines involved in the 4th round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA4).
An advisory signed by Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla on Monday but only made public on Thursday, showed that GEA4 will now look for renewable energy (RE) capacities totaling to 10,653 megawatts (MW).
That will include 9,553 MW from ground-mounted solar, roof-mounted solar, floating solar and onshore wind projects that should be operationalized from 2026 to 2029 and another 1,100 MW of solar capacity equipped with battery storage.
GEA4 previously only involved a total of 10,478 MW of capacity including 9,378 MW from ground-mounted solar, roof-mounted solar, floating solar and onshore wind projects and another 1,100
MW of solar capacity equipped with battery storage.
Under the current setup of the auction, interested renewable energy developers will compete for incentivized fixed power rates by offering prices that are lower than or equal to reserve prices set by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
The DOE said the additional 175 MW has been allocated to floating solar technology in Visayas, which is scheduled for auction in 2027 and 2028.
“This expansion opens new avenues for project development across the archipelago, particularly in areas with limited available land. These measures mark a historic push toward integrating floating solar into the country’s mainstream renewable energy mix,” the agency said further.
The DOE added that apart from adding capacities for GEA4, it has adjusted 1,040 MW worth of installation target capacity for floating solar technology previously scheduled in Luzon for 2026, and distributed it across 2027, 2028, and 2029.
The agency said it deemed the move necessary to provide developers with more preparation time as well as to improve project feasibility, and support grid readiness.
“By proactively adjusting timelines and capacity allocations, the DOE is signaling strong institutional support for innovative RE solutions, while creating space for broader participation among developers and investors,” the DOE further said.
