ERC sets ceiling prices for GEA-4 renewable projects
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has unveiled the Green Energy Auction Reserve (GEAR) prices, setting ceiling prices for bidders in the fourth round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-4) following recent enhancements to the program.
In a resolution released by the ERC, the final GEAR prices have been established for GEA-4, a bidding program specifically designed for onshore wind, solar power, and energy storage systems (ESS) projects.
According to the regulators, the GEAR price for rooftop solar technologies is ₱5.6800 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Ground-mounted solar will have a price of ₱4.4832/kWh, and the price for floating solar has been set to ₱6.5258/kWh. Solar + ESS will be priced at ₱5.4028/kWh, while the final GEAR price for onshore wind developments is ₱6.0859/kWh.
The ERC also mandated that the Department of Energy (DOE), the System Operator (SO), and the Market Operator (MO) must develop and submit a dispatch protocol within three months of the resolution's effectivity. This protocol will ensure the seamless integration of the Integrated Renewable Energy and Storage System (IRESS).
The DOE recently adjusted some capacities and timelines to provide greater flexibility for renewable energy developers. Notably, the DOE reallocated 1,040 megawatts (MW) of installation targets in Luzon to 2027, 2028, and 2029, a change from the previously slated 2026.
Furthermore, to meet the increasing demand in Visayas, the DOE has raised the floating solar capacity to 175 MW, scheduled for auction in 2027 and 2028.