DOE: Wind, solar lead projects in pipeline

MANILA, Philippines — Wind and solar power developments dominate the Department of Energy’s (DOE) list of indicative generation projects over the next decade.

Citing data as of Oct. 31, the DOE reported that power projects with a combined capacity of 92,392.81 megawatts (MW) were in the pre-development stage, with commercial operations targeted between 2024 and 2033.

Of the total indicative projects, wind accounted for 69.34 percent or 64,066.18 MW, while solar comprised 13.11 percent or 12,121.91 MW.

This was followed by hydropower, natural gas and energy storage system projects with 7,316.22 MW, 5,888 MW and 2,209.5 MW, respectively.

The list also includes projects with capacities of 325 MW from geothermal, 289 MW from coal and 177 MW from biomass.

In terms of locations, about 75 percent of total indicative projects are planned to be developed in Luzon, with the rest spread across the Visayas and Mindanao.

Likewise, the DOE identified close to 5,000 MW worth of indicative projects without firm commercial operations date or beyond 2035.

Alongside those with target activation dates, these generation facilities are expected to light up more than 97 million homes upon completion.

The development of these projects is aligned with the government’s initiatives to address the country’s growing energy demand.

Under the country’s energy scenario, peak demand is projected to reach 68.5 gigawatts by 2050, up by 312.65 percent from the 16.6 GW recorded in 2022.

To ensure energy security and sustainability, the DOE earlier tagged power projects with an aggregate capacity of over 14,000 MW as “committed,” with renewables making up more than half of the list.

Committed refers to energy projects that have secured financial closure or are already in construction stages.