After the auctions for solar, wind, and energy storage projects, the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded more bidders under the fourth round of its Green Energy Auction (GEA-4) program.

In a statement, the DOE presented 123 winning bidders, which raised the overall subscribed capacity to 10,195.49 megawatts (MW), well above the previous capacity of 9,423 MW last September.

The majority of awarded projects was granted to ground-mounted solar projects, as they accounted for more than 4,179 MW. Meanwhile, onshore wind technologies, most of which are planned to be developed in Quezon province, Sorsogon, and Visayas provinces, have about 2,518 MW of awarded capacity.

Floating solar technologies, including large-scale developments in Laguna, Pampanga, and Negros island, secured 2,284 MW of subscribed capacity.

Integrated renewable energy (RE) with energy storage systems (IRESS) had a share of 1,189 MW, while roof-mounted solar provided 24.82 MW.

“This overwhelming response reflects the growing confidence of investors in the Philippines’ renewable energy (RE) sector and underscores the country’s commitment to achieving its clean energy goals,” the DOE stated.

The agency has instructed the winners to submit their post-auction documents, such as affidavits of undertaking, performance bonds, system impact studies with National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), as well as other financial requirements to be submitted by Dec. 6.

With GEA-4 concluding, the DOE has yet to announce the commencement of GEA-5, specifically intended for offshore wind (OSW) developments. The government has previously anticipated about 3,300 MW worth of installation capacity.

Last year, the DOE awarded 92 OSW service contracts, meant to accelerate the country’s development of OSW energy resources.

While optimism remains that OSW will gain steady momentum once GEA-5 begins, Makati Business Club (MBC) reiterated the key measures to increase investor confidence for this technology. This includes formalizing a planning framework and regulatory arrangement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), MBC said.

Sufficient and effective ports would also help welcome OSW projects, as MBC noted that existing ports in Ilocos Norte, Batangas, and Camarines Norte provinces must be upgraded to accommodate the entry of these materials.

While GEA-5 may be a good step to introduce a new wind energy source, the business group suggested further studies and evaluation on its power pricing, as it cited that, “In other countries, adjusting prices for inflation and protecting against big peso-dollar swings have helped attract more investors and cheaper financing. Bringing similar ideas here would give banks the confidence to lend, developers the confidence to build, and local businesses and workers the certainty to gear up for future projects, all while pushing prices closer to other RE options.”

Finally, a standardized permitting checklist and ensuring the host communities are well educated with the entry of OSW would help minimize the risk of approval delays, MBC said in an October policy paper published last Nov. 4.