The Department of Energy (DOE) said it is now accelerating around 200 power generation projects as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s energy security by 2028 amidst growing global market uncertainty and rising energy demand.

Speaking during the 3rd Energy Forum of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) held in Makati on May 26, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said 31 of the projects were already operational as of March 2026.

“The DOE is accelerating the construction of 200 power generation projects to strengthen energy security by 2028,” Fuentebella explained.

According to the DOE official, many of the projects are focused on renewable energy technologies including solar, hydro, and biomass.

Fuentebella said the Philippines must continue reducing dependence on imported fuels as global energy markets remain vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, fuel price volatility, and climate-related disruptions.

“Energy security is inseparable from national security,” he said.

The DOE official said the agency continues to advance programs under the Philippine Energy Plan, including the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP), Renewable Portfolio Standards, and offshore wind development initiatives.

He noted that the DOE conducted renewable energy auction rounds in 2025 covering solar, hydro, wind, and integrated renewable energy and storage technologies for delivery between 2026 and 2029.

Fuentebella also highlighted the DOE’s offshore wind initiatives, including the launch of the country’s first auction for large-scale fixed-bottom offshore wind technology.

Beyond renewable energy expansion, the DOE is also pursuing transmission modernization and infrastructure development to support the country’s growing power requirements.

Fuentebella cited the Smart and Green Grid Plan launched in October 2025, which aims to modernize the country’s transmission network and identify expansion projects needed to accommodate additional renewable energy capacity.

“Strategic infrastructure investments ensure that gains from domestic energy development are sustained reliably and future-proof,” he said.

The DOE official also discussed reforms aimed at streamlining permitting processes for energy projects.

According to Fuentebella, 55 workflows across government agencies have already been integrated into the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop to improve permitting coordination, transparency, and ease of doing business.

The DOE has likewise advanced policies supporting microgrids, offshore wind, energy storage systems, and transmission development as part of efforts to build a more resilient and investment-friendly energy sector.

During the same forum, DOE Secretary Sharon S. Garin emphasized the importance of building an energy system that is “secure, sustainable, resilient, and people-centric.”

“Energy is about people. It’s about improving lives, it’s about enabling economic growth, and it is about the future of our nation,” Garin said.

As the Philippines accelerates hundreds of energy infrastructure projects, can the country build a power system that remains reliable, affordable, and resilient amid continuing global uncertainty?

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