The Department of Energy (DOE) may delay the first round of its green energy auction program (GEAP), as it continues to collect data, noting that any new findings may have an impact on the design offer.
The GEAP allows qualified renewable energy developers to supply a portion of the electricity generated by their facilities to eligible customers who may enjoy lower power prices.
Based on a BusinessWorld report, DOE Renewable Energy Management Bureau Director Mylene Capongcol said the GEAP committee is still finalizing its calculations, which may affect the auction design and framework. The committee also recommended that the scheduled auction this month be deferred to a later date.
She added that the DOE chose to remove the GEAP from the program of the Luzon Energy Investment Information, Education, and Communication event on July 8 due to changes in numbers on the demand side, which was caused by the effects of the pandemic.
Relative to this, Energy Usec. Felix William Fuentebella likewise said that the GEA’s numbers have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thus requiring calculations.
Capongcol further said that they also need to align their targets towards the Clean Energy Scenario, which is why it may not be ready for an information education campaign.
The DOE released a circular back in July 2020, which detailed the guidelines for the conduct of the GEAP. It indicated that projects eligible for the auction are those covered and the renewable portfolio standards. Qualified participants from on-grid areas can be from biomass, wind, solar, hydro, ocean, geothermal, and waste-to-energy industries.