Energy leaders are encouraging renewable energy developers to secure Green Lane certification early, amid discussions that application rules could change in the future. Speaking at the panel “Whole-of-Nation Call to Action to Just Transition to Clean and Renewable Energy: Achieving More than 50% RE Share by 2050” during the 3rd Renewable Energy Conference, officials from the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the Board of Investments (BOI), and industry groups stressed the advantages of applying now while requirements remain more flexible.

DOE Director III Ruby B. De Guzman encouraged companies to move quickly: “Grab the chance to get the Green Lane accreditation. Once you do it later, the alignment … may come sooner, and there may be something like an investment gap. So apply now.”

Green Lane certification, created under Executive Order No. 18, streamlines project permitting by compelling agencies, including local governments, to act promptly on accredited projects. For developers, it is designed as a safeguard against the delays that have historically slowed renewable energy rollout.

But discussions are ongoing on how the rules might evolve, including the possibility of aligning Green Lane with the DOE’s Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS), which carries additional thresholds such as a PHP 3.5 billion investment benchmark.

The call comes as the DOE prepares for the September round of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP). Despite high registration numbers, DOE data show that only about 40% of projects have System Impact Study (SIS) approvals, which is a prerequisite for building any generation project.

SIS evaluates how a new plant will connect to the grid and what reinforcements may be required. Without it, developers cannot move from planning to execution, even if they secure an auction award.

NGCP Planning Standards and Studies Special Supervisor Ryan Jayson Bragais said the company has reduced SIS processing from one year to about 60 days and has expanded its team to handle over 200 pending applications. “We understand the government is very aggressive. It’s a high target — 50% by 2030 — so we have to move,” he said.

ECCP Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Committee Co-Chairperson Ruth Yu-Owen cited a project that waited a year for LGU endorsement. Experiences like this, she said, show why developers should not hesitate to apply for Green Lane, which can override such bottlenecks.

BOI Chief Investment Specialist Rose Marie O. Mendoza said the DOE and BOI are exploring ways to integrate CEPNS and Green Lane into a single certification to simplify the process for investors. While discussions are ongoing and no policy has been finalized, panelists broadly acknowledged that having one certification could reduce overlaps and help both government and industry move faster.

What steps do you think are most urgent to help fast-track renewable energy projects? What are your thoughts on the development of  streamlined certification?

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