More than 10 gigawatts (GW) of solar and wind capacity for rollout between 2026 to 2029 are now up for grabs, as the Department of Energy (DOE) has officially commenced the Fourth Round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-4) and with Green Energy Auction Reserve (GEAR) Prices already up on the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) website.

In a statement, the DOE said GEAR prices, which will serve as the maximum allowable bid rates for the GEA-4 auction, have been available on ERC’s website since June 13, via Resolution No. 9, Series of 2025.

The auction process began with the release of the Notice of Auction (NOA) and Terms of Reference (TOR) on March 29. These documents set the framework for bidding and project development timelines. The DOE issued two follow-up advisories on May 28 and June 11 to confirm schedules and procedural updates.

The registration window for qualified suppliers opened on the first working day after the GEAR price announcement. From here, pre-qualification, submission of offers, evaluation, and awarding of projects will follow the official GEA-4 calendar.

The GEA-4 auction, DOE’s biggest round to date, includes ground-mounted solar and onshore wind projects, strategically scheduled for commercial operation over a four-year period from 2026 to 2029. This round is expected to attract major domestic and foreign developers.

Projects awarded through the auction will sign 20-year power supply contracts under the Green Energy Auction.

“The implementation of GEA-4 represents a major stride toward a more sustainable energy future for the Philippines,” the DOE said in a statement.  “This round aims to boost the RE share in the country’s energy mix, strengthen grid reliability, and ensure energy security. GEA-4 not only promotes increased investment in RE, but also affirms the DOE’s commitment to competitive, transparent, and efficient energy procurement practices.” 

The GEA mechanism, first introduced in 2021, aims to streamline the procurement of renewable energy by eliminating the need for lengthy bilateral negotiations. Instead, it uses pre-determined pricing thresholds and project milestones to fast-track project selection and rollout.

Winning bidders will be required to meet strict commissioning deadlines and face penalties if projects are delayed. The DOE said it will closely monitor project progress and enforce compliance to maintain investor confidence and protect consumers.

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