The Department of Energy (DOE) has extended the deadline for the submission of bids on prospective renewable energy (RE) resource areas in the fourth Open and Competitive Selection Process (OCSP-4) to September 28.
Under OCSP, prospective developers can bid for the right to develop pre-determined areas where the DOE has conducted prior resource studies.
In an advisory issued by the DOE and published over the weekend, the deadline was moved from August 29 to September 28 in a bid to “ensure the widest participation in the OCSP-4 and provide the prospective bidders an ample time to prepare and submit bid proposals.”
The DOE advisory added proposals submitted prior to the new deadline may be retrieved by a prospective bidder “for further enhancement,” adding that two authorized representatives per bidder are allowed to attend the opening of bids through face-to-face and virtual setups to ensure transparency of the procedure.
Earlier, the agency approved 20 pre-determined areas that are ripe for RE developments for OCSP-4.
The DOE said from the 20 areas, 14 are hydro prospects for a total capacity of 87.96 megawatts (MW), three for geothermal for a capacity of 160 MW and another three for wind projects but total capacity has not been finalized.
DOE said geothermal prospects include the Buguias-Tinoc in Ifugao province; Mabini in Batangas; and Mt. Sembrano traversing Pililla and Jala-jala in Rizal province and Pangil and Pakil in Laguna.
For hydro prospects, areas under OCSP-4 include Tinoc, Ifugao province; Alilem, Ilocos Sur; San Remigio, Antique; Libacao, Aklan; Badian, Cebu; Dingalan, Aurora; Carrascal and Cantilan in Surigao del Sur; Digos City, Davao del Sur; Manabo, Abra; Naujan, Oriental Mindoro; Calamba, Misamis Occidental; and two in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
As for pre-determined areas for wind projects for OCSP-4, the DOE identified San Jose City in Nueva Ecija; Pantabanganan, Nueva Ecija; and Bagac, Bataan. -Jed Macapagal
