The Philippines’ Department of Energy recently concluded its fourth Green Energy Auction, successfully securing commitments for approximately 10.2 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity. This achievement represents 96% of the preset target, marking a milestone for the country’s clean energy transition and signaling the industry’s shift from a “trial phase” into a “mainstream growth phase.”
This auction set multiple records, attracting 123 winning participants, making it the most participated round since the auction program’s launch in 2022. Unlike previous auctions which focused on ground-mounted solar and onshore wind, GEA-4 innovatively included floating solar arrays and integrated renewable energy-plus-storage systems, diversifying clean energy applications. Projects span the three main island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Large-scale floating solar projects will be deployed in areas like Laguna Lake, while new onshore wind projects are planned for regions such as Quezon Province, creating comprehensive nationwide coverage.
In terms of capacity breakdown, ground-mounted solar leads with 4,179 megawatts, followed by onshore wind at 2,518 MW, floating solar at 2,284 MW, and renewable energy hybrid projects with storage at 1,189 MW. An additional 25 MW of rooftop solar projects will contribute to urban clean energy adoption, achieving both scale and diverse application coverage.
The DOE attributed the auction’s strong response to the continuously improving environment for renewable energy development, where streamlined approval processes and enhanced grid connection conditions have significantly boosted investor confidence. According to the plan, winning bidders must submit System Impact Study reports, financing proofs, and other documents by December 6, after which contracts will be finalized and construction initiated.
This new capacity will form the core support for the Philippines’ energy transition goals. The country aims to increase the share of renewables in its power generation mix to 35% by 2030 and further to 50% by 2040. The large-scale application of energy storage and hybrid systems will also effectively address the intermittency issues of renewable sources. Industry observers suggest that deepening public-private cooperation and enhancing grid resilience to accommodate the new load capacity will be key challenges for the next phase of the Philippines’ clean energy industry.
