The Department of Energy (DOE) has reached a new milestone in the country’s clean energy transition after securing commitments for more than 10 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity through the fourth round of its Green Energy Auction (GEA-4).  

Energy officials said the latest round attracted 123 winning bidders, which marks one of the country’s strongest investment responses since the program’s launch in 2022. The DOE described the outcome as proof that the shift toward renewable generation has entered a “mainstream growth phase” rather than an experimental one.

Unlike earlier auctions that focused mainly on solar and wind farms, GEA-4 opened the door to floating solar arrays and integrated renewable-and-storage systems designed to help stabilize the grid. Developers offered projects across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with significant floating-solar capacity planned in Laguna Lake, Pampanga, and Negros, while new wind projects will rise in Quezon, Sorsogon, and central Visayas.

In total, the DOE awarded 10,195 megawatts (MW) of capacity—about 96 percent of its installation target. The mix includes 4,179 MW of ground-mounted solar, 2,518 MW of onshore wind, 2,284 MW of floating solar, 1,189 MW of hybrid renewable-plus-storage projects, and 25 MW of rooftop installations aimed at promoting urban clean-energy uptake.

The department said the strong turnout spotlights rising investor confidence amidst reforms that streamline permitting and grid access for renewable developers. Winning bidders have until December 6 to submit compliance documents, including system-impact studies and proof of financing, before contracts are finalized.

The DOE said these new capacities will play a central role in meeting the Philippines’ goal of raising the renewable share of its generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. The department added that integrating storage and hybrid systems would also help ensure grid reliability as renewable reach deepens.

As the country races to add more clean-energy capacity, how can the government and private sector work together to make the grid resilient enough to carry the load?

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