DOE clears 19 energy projects for grid assessment

The Department of Energy (DOE) has authorized the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to conduct a system impact study (SIS) on 19 green energy projects.

Philippine Star reported that in September, approvals for the system impact study (SIS) were issued, which included 16 new projects and three modifications to earlier approvals. Of these, 17 focus on renewable energy (RE), while the other two involve waste-to-energy (WTE) and battery energy storage system (BESS) initiatives.

A grid impact study evaluates the power grid’s ability to support a new connection and identifies necessary upgrades, such as additional transmission lines and transformers.

Significant projects approved last month feature Vortex Offshore Wind Corporation’s 1,000-megawatt (MW) offshore wind initiative in Mindoro, North Luzon Green and Sustainable Energy Inc.’s solar project with a capacity of 478.2 megawatts-peak (MWp) in Pangasinan, and Tuy Solar Power Corporation’s 425.3-MWp solar development in Batangas.

The approved projects also encompass wpd Philippines Onshore Inc.’s 400-MW onshore wind initiative in Ilocos, 150-MW onshore wind development in Antique, First Gen Visayas Energy Inc.’s 100-MW wind project in Lanao del Norte, Energija Sur 2 Inc.’s 40-MW battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Laguna, and MC Project Solutions Inc.’s two wind projects totaling 200 MW in Cebu.

Other approved SIS projects feature The Blue Circle Philippines Mindoro Corporation’s 112-MW wind project in Oriental Mindoro, Sta. Ignacia Tarlac Solar Power Corporation’s 20-MWp solar initiatives in Tarlac, Manila Integrated Environment Corporation’s 100-MW waste-to-energy (WTE) facility, and Freya Renewables Inc.’s solar project with a capacity of 79.96 MWp in Leyte.

Further approvals include Kanji Solar Inc.’s 70-MWp solar project in Isabela, Linglingay Power Corporation’s 97.2-MWp solar project also in Isabela, Citicore Wind Energy Corporation’s 50-MW wind project in Camarines Sur, Cleanergy 2 Inc.’s 209.56-MWp solar development in Isabela, and Exzal Renewable Energy Corporation’s 100-MWp solar initiative in Albay-Sorsogon.

Since January, the DOE has endorsed 148 power generation projects, including 143 RE projects, four BESS, and one WTE.

In addition to these approvals, the DOE recommended 12 power projects to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for commercial operations last month.