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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Philippines to hold first gas auction

Philippines to hold first gas auction

Published Mar 5, 2026 02:15 pm
Photo shows the flaring operation off the coast of Palawan following the discovery of a new natural gas field at Malampaya East-1. (Prime Energy)
Photo shows the flaring operation off the coast of Palawan following the discovery of a new natural gas field at Malampaya East-1. (Prime Energy)

To lessen the strain and reduce dependence on coal-fired power plants, the Department of Energy (DOE) is set to launch the first centralized auction for mid-merit natural gas to stabilize the country’s power grid.

In a draft circular, the DOE said the gas auction would not only ensure energy security and consumer protection but also help gradually integrate natural gas as a transition fuel, accelerating a cleaner and sustainable renewable energy (RE) share in the energy mix, as the country aims for a 35-percent RE share by 2030.

The initiative is also designed to support distribution utilities (DUs) in procuring power supplies for their respective service areas and to promote the development of additional natural gas through a fair market.

The auction will include natural gas assets that are new, upgraded, or currently existing and registered in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
The capacity to be auctioned has yet to be determined and will be evaluated by a technical working group based on power development plan simulations.

“Such determination shall be consistent with the objectives of energy security, system reliability, and the efficient utilization of available natural gas resources, taking into consideration,” the DOE stated, noting that the capacity to be bid out will be released following the terms of reference (TOR) and other auction documents.

Similar to the DOE’s multiple Green Energy Auction (GEA) rounds, the gas auction will have a threshold price, also known as the GAT, as studied and finalized by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

According to the DOE, the GAT price will set the ceiling rate for bidding, and any offer exceeding the value specified and finalized by the ERC will be disqualified.

“Qualified bidders shall submit their offer quantity and corresponding bid price for the capacity of natural gas for auction intended to be participated in the auction, subject to the ERC-approved GAT price applicable to the auction round, as specified in the invitation to bid and the TOR,” the DOE elaborated.

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