DOE to offer 15 hydropower projects for auction

DOE – hydro

The Department of Energy (DOE) will be offering 15 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 101.35 megawatts (MW) in an upcoming competitive selection process. 

In a report by Business World, Energy undersecretary Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said that nine of the hydro projects being offered are located in Luzon, while two are in Visayas, and five are in Mindanao. 

Bacordo said that the offerings will help the DOE meet its goal of reaching a 35% renewable energy share in the power mix by 2030, and 50% by 2040. 

The DOE is looking to conduct another round under the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) in June next year. Energy ASec Mylene Capongcol said that they will be studying the requirements of the auction, accounting for the Renewable Portfolio Standards and grid requirements. 

DOE awarded 19 bidders, which will deliver 2,000 MW of RE capacity, during the first round of the GEAP. 

Capongcol said the DOE is considering including hydropower, and impounding geothermal in the next round of GEAP.