The Philippines’ Department of Energy (DOE) has outlined the guidelines for the fourth green energy auction (GEA-4), targeting the addition of 9,378 MW of renewable energy capacity, Mercom India News reported. This round includes ground-mounted, rooftop, and floating solar, as well as onshore wind projects.

For the first time, the auction integrates renewable energy with energy storage (IRESS), allocating an extra 1,100 MW of solar capacity paired with battery storage. Successful bidders will secure 20-year supply contracts, beginning from their projects’ commercial operation dates. Capacity allocations will be distributed across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao between 2026 and 2029.

In 2026, 2,372 MW will be added, followed by 2,362 MW in 2027, 2,766 MW in 2028, and further expansions in 2029. Solar capacity with storage will increase annually, reaching up to 150 MW by 2028.

New guidelines under the Green Energy Auction Programme (GEAP) include updated eligibility criteria and a revised pricing structure. Suppliers must possess a renewable energy service contract or an authorised certificate. Green energy tariffs will now be indexed per feed-in-tariff rules set by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Only non-operational solar projects without provisional permits qualify for IRESS. These must meet technical standards, including a 0.2 inverter ratio, 85% round-trip efficiency, and a four-hour storage duration. Registration begins after the Energy Regulatory Commission announces the reserve price. In 2023, the DOE awarded 3.43 GW in renewable energy projects, including a 610 MW floating solar contract.