DOE expands floating solar capacity in Visayas for GEA-4 bidders
The Department of Energy (DOE) announced significant enhancements to the fourth round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-4), including various capacity allocations and rescheduling of timelines to support the development of floating solar technologies in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, June 12, the DOE said it has increased the floating solar capacity in Visayas to 175 megawatts (MW), which is scheduled for auction in 2027 and 2028, following the growing demand in the region as well as investor interest.
This additional capacity opens up for project development, especially in sites that have limited land area.
Additionally, the DOE has reallocated 1,040 megawatts (MW) worth of installation target capacity in Luzon across the years 2027, 2028, and 2029. This supply had previously been scheduled for 2026.
“This move is designed to provide developers with greater preparation time, improve project feasibility, and support grid readiness for this specialized technology,” the DOE stated.
“By proactively adjusting timelines and capacity allocations, the DOE is signaling strong institutional support for innovative renewable energy (RE) solutions, while creating space for broader participation among developers and investors,” it added.
Other improvements to the framework include the standardization of solar capacity units and greater bidding flexibility, allowing developers to submit bids for either stand-alone solar projects or integrated solar with energy storage systems (ESS).
Moreover, winning bidders are required to submit a detailed project design that reflects the awarded scheme, while solar and ESS projects will need a new system impact study (SIS).
“These comprehensive updates underscore the DOE’s mission to deliver a transparent, competitive, and future-forward RE auction system. As the Philippines targets a 35-percent RE share by 2030, the rollout of technologies like floating solar will play a transformative role in achieving a cleaner, more resilient energy future for all Filipinos,” the DOE concluded.