NGCP, DOE, China partner plot grid readiness for RE surge
(NGCP photo)
To prepare the grid for an anticipated surge in renewable energy (RE) projects, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), its technical partner State Grid Corp. of China (SGCC), and the Department of Energy (DOE) have discussed key policies and strategies.
Representatives from NGCP and the DOE met with their counterparts in Shanghai, China, to explore grid-forming measures for the Philippines. Discussions primarily focused on how to seamlessly integrate the influx of RE projects into the national grid.
“NGCP and SGCC have consistently championed technologies and solutions that enable the reliable integration of variable renewable energy (VRE) sources,” NGCP stated.
NGCP plans to leverage SGCC’s technical expertise, noting it is “well-positioned to implement these strategies, and awaits the needed supporting policy and regulatory framework, especially in view of the influx of projects under the DOE’s Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) Phases 1, 2, 3, and the upcoming Phase 4.” SGCC, described as the “world’s largest power transmission and distribution utility,” operates across 88 percent of China. Through its various partnerships, SGCC highlights that renewables now constitute approximately 30 percent of China's energy mix.
Last week, the DOE awarded winning bids for the third round of GEA (GEA-3), which includes pumped-storage hydropower, impounding hydropower, geothermal, and run-of-river technologies. These projects are slated for completion between 2025 and 2035.
Following this, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) last month announced the final ceiling prices for GEA-4. This phase covers ground-mounted solar, roof-mounted solar, floating solar, onshore wind, and integrated solar and energy storage. These price caps will serve as the maximum bid offers in pesos per kilowatt-hour.
In a separate initiative to advance offshore wind (OSW) developments, the DOE is also encouraging developers to submit their infrastructure plans early, ahead of GEA-5.