DOE releases terms of reference for 2nd GEA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has released the terms of reference for the second round of the Green Energy Auction or GEA2, with the aim of awarding the contracts by end-June.

The agency said the terms of reference supplements the provisions of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) guidelines and would govern the rules and procedures of the auction process.

The auction capacity requirement in megawatt (MW) per renewable energy resource type is specified in the terms of reference.

The GEA2 will offer a total capacity of 11,600-MW installation target, with 3,600-MW for 2024, 3,600-MW for 2025, and 4,400-MW for 2026.

To be auctioned are renewable energy capacities of 7,715-MW in Luzon, 2,695-MW in Visayas, and 1,190-MW in Mindanao from 2024 to 2026.

The installation targets for 2024 and 2025 cover ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar, onshore wind and biomass, and will include floating solar and waste-to-energy capacities for 2026.

The DOE said the supply contract would be for a 20-year period beginning from the date of the commercial operation of the renewable energy project.

To encourage wider participation and foster greater competition in the GEA2, the DOE said developers with letters of intent (LOIs) to apply for renewable energy contracts, which are filed as of the last day of registration of qualified suppliers may participate in the GEA2 and in succeeding rounds of the green energy auction.

Meanwhile, it said developers of roof-mounted solar projects may also register to participate in the GEA2 without having to submit proof of the filing of an LOI for a renewable energy contract.