The Philippines’ renewable energy push is no longer held back by technology or capital, but by how quickly projects can move from planning to execution. As more developers step forward with viable projects, the real constraint is becoming clear- the system itself is struggling to keep pace.

Speaking on the latest episode of Power Podcast, Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC) President Oliver Tan said the challenge is no longer about building capacity, but about navigating the processes that determine how fast projects can actually break ground.

Projects are ready, but timelines are stretched

Renewable energy development in the Philippines has reached a point where technical capability and financing are no longer the primary concerns. Developers are ready to build, and the pipeline of projects continues to grow.

But progress is often slowed before construction even begins.

“At the end of the day… there are many generation companies that can put up generation power plant. Hindi naman ma-deliver,” Tan said.

While the comment points to delivery constraints, it also reflects a broader issue — projects can be planned and financed, but moving them forward remains a challenge.

Where the friction lies

Much of this delay stems from the way approvals are structured. Developers must navigate multiple layers of permitting across national agencies and local government units, often dealing with overlapping requirements.

The result is a process that is less about technical readiness and more about coordination.

For Tan, simplifying this system is one of the most immediate ways to accelerate renewable energy deployment.

A case for simplification

“If you’re the energy secretary for a day… a one-stop shop,” Tan said, when asked what policy change he would prioritize.

The idea is straightforward: consolidate permitting into a single, streamlined process that reduces redundancy and speeds up approvals across agencies.

Rather than overhauling the system entirely, the focus is on removing friction points that slow down otherwise viable projects.

When planning falls out of sync

Even when projects move forward, another layer of complexity emerges. This is aligning generation with transmission.

“So at the end of the day you really rely on the grid,” Tan said.

Without synchronized planning, power plants risk being completed ahead of the infrastructure needed to deliver their output, creating inefficiencies that ripple across the system.

Willing players, unclear pathways

Developers are not necessarily waiting for solutions to come from the public sector alone. According to Tan, there is willingness within the industry to support infrastructure development where needed.

But turning that willingness into action requires clearer rules.

“The GENCO are willing naman to build the transmission line upfront to help NGCP but I think the policy need to be more clear on how we can execute,” he said.

The gap, then, is not intent, but execution.

Designing for uncertainty

In the meantime, CREC is adapting its approach to account for policy and system risks. Rather than relying entirely on favorable conditions, the company is structuring its projects to remain viable even in uncertain environments.

“So we make sure we’re not reliant on government policy,” Tan said.

This includes ensuring that projects are competitive, flexible, and capable of operating within shifting regulatory and market conditions.

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