DOE: 4,000 MW power projects will come online this year

In an attempt to amplify the country’s energy infrastructure and strengthen the power supply, the Department of Energy (DOE) announces that around 4,164.92 megawatts (MW) of power projects, which is a mix of renewable and conventional sources, will come online this year. 

“We call upon the LGUs and other concerned government agencies to proactively engage with energy project developers, prioritize the issuance of permits, and address right-of-way issues in a timely manner to facilitate the seamless implementation of energy projects,” said Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla.

Currently, 161.20MW of these projects are in full operation, while 835.888 MW are in the testing and commissioning stage.

According to a statement from the DOE, the mid-merit plants would amount to 1,320MW, while the base load plants would make up roughly 678.06MW. Meanwhile, 2,164.92MW would be produced by peaking plants. 

Of the projected capacity,  Luzon has 4,030 MW, Visayas has 80.25 MW, and Mindanao has 52.50 MW. 

The committed capacities include the 600MW Mariveles Coal-fired power plant, with Unit 1 already in full operation while the remaining units, each offering 150MW, were under testing and commissioning and were slated to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2024.

There was also the 1,320 MW Batangas Combined Cycle Power Plant by Excellent Energy Resources Inc. (EERI), with each of the three plants offering a 440 MW capacity. This project was slated to be fully operational by the last quarter of this year. 

The energy department was also anticipating the completion and start of commercial operations for 1,984.775 MW of solar capacity, of which 498.888 MW were still undergoing testing and commissioning, and 966.294 MW were anticipated to go online by June of this year. 

Furthermore, with 32.42 MW already in service, an additional 590 MW of battery energy storage systems was anticipated to become available this year.

Meanwhile, with the heat index continuously increasing, the electricity demand had also escalated as well. 

In response to this, the DOE is expediting the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP). 

In January 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave directions to government agencies to streamline their energy consumption to reduce the demand in the grid, which was also known as Administrative Order No. 15.