DOE releases qualified bidders for next green energy auction
The Department of Energy (DOE) has released its list of qualified bidders for the fourth round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-4), which seeks bids for onshore wind, solar power, and energy storage system (ESS) projects.
According to a filing on the DOE website, a virtual pre-bid conference for the bidders is scheduled for July 28. The submission of bids will be on a per-project or per-phase basis.
The DOE noted that “Qualified Bidders who wish to offer the same solar project under solar lot and solar and ESS lot shall submit proof of posting of Bid Bond for each lot.”
Among the companies qualified to participate are Basic Energy Corporation (BEC). Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC), Dagohoy Green Energy Corp. (DGEC) and FGen Power Ventures, Inc.
Also included are GIGA ACE 6, Inc. and GIGAWIND1, Inc., Joy-Nostalg Solaris, Inc., North Luzon Green Power, Inc., Phinma Solar Energy Corp., RDG Wind Corp., SMC Global Light and Power Corp. and SN Aboitiz Power - Magat, Inc.
The DOE also stated that solar developers can bid for ground-mounted solar, as well as ground-mounted solar with ESS.
Last month, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced the ceiling prices for GEA-4 projects: rooftop solar at ₱5.6800 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), ground-mounted solar at ₱4.4832/kWh, floating solar at ₱6.5258/kWh, solar combined with ESS at ₱5.4028/kWh, and onshore wind at ₱6.0859/kWh.
Maria Theresa Capellan, founder and chairperson of the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), shared her thoughts on the auction during the organization's 15th anniversary.
While she believes the ceiling prices are enough to attract more bidders, she expressed hope for a better auction design.
Capellan cited financial barriers as a potential issue. She suggested that a surety bond would be a sufficient form of financial guarantee to attract more participants and competition.
“We have rooftop developers and participants who have limited income, limited capital, smaller in size,” she said. “And what we want is to draw them into the auction. And the only way you can draw them is remove any financial burden.”
She also hoped for more flexibility in the auction design, stating that it “should take into consideration the changes in the industry... In the overall economy, they should be factored in. That’s what we’re waiting for with the DOE. I think we’re okay with the price.”