Prime Infra’s large-scale pumped storage hydroelectric projects—totaling 2,000 megawatts (MW)—have been named as potential winning bidders in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) third Green Energy Auction (GEA-3), advancing the Philippines’ energy transition agenda.

In its June 9 Notice of Award, the DOE recognized Prime Infra’s 600MW Wawa and 1,400MW Pakil pumped storage projects, both targeted for commercial operations by 2030. The GEA program is a cornerstone initiative to draw more renewable energy investments and ensure energy security.

“The DOE should be commended for what is an ambitious and critical program to enable the transition to green energy, maximizing indigenous energy, bringing the country a step closer to decarbonizing the grid, and to some extent, and more importantly, enabling energy security and stabilizing the cost of generation,” said Prime Infra President and CEO Guillaume Lucci.

The Wawa Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Project in Rizal is designed to deliver 6,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of daily energy storage with a flexible 600MW charging/discharging capacity. It uses advanced variable speed reversible pump turbines and is integrated with the Upper Wawa Dam reservoir—part of Prime Infra’s bulk water supply project—highlighting its dual role in energy and water security.

Meanwhile, the Pakil project in Laguna will offer one of the highest daily storage capacities globally at 14,000MWh, with a 1,400MW variable-speed system connected to the 500 kilovolt (kV) grid. Upon completion, both projects will bolster grid regulation and stability, essential for achieving the government’s renewable energy targets of 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

Recent Notices to Proceed (NTPs) under Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts mark construction milestones for both projects. Wawa’s second phase includes the powerhouse cavern, power waterways, and upper basin. The Pakil project’s full EPC activation covers key facilities including the upper reservoir, power waterway, and grid connection.

Both projects have received Certificates of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS) and Green Lane endorsements from the Department of Trade and Industry and Board of Investments—recognition that streamlines permitting and underscores the national importance of the developments.

What implications do Prime Infra’s pumped storage projects hold for the Philippines’ renewable energy goals, grid reliability, and investor confidence? We invite industry professionals and energy stakeholders to share their perspectives.

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