Gov’t prepares green auction for Agrisolar projects
THE Department of Energy has introduced a load-based framework designed to balance the country’s generation mix, strengthen power system reliability, and provide a clear signal for investment.
Photograph courtesy of Energy Efficiency Alliance Organization
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are preparing a specialized Green Energy Auction (GEA) program covering agrisolar, floating solar, and solar-on-stilts projects as they seek to integrate renewable energy into the agriculture sector.
Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Agriculture Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro, and National Transmission Corp. President Melvin Matibag Leynes started mapping out a plan to discuss the planned rollout and related policy measures.
In a statement on Saturday, the DOE said the proposed technologies would enable “the simultaneous production of food and energy.”
The agencies also discussed using transmission infrastructure near underutilized fishponds to support grid connectivity for renewable energy projects.
The meeting resulted in the creation of a technical working group tasked with preparing the necessary instruments for the auction before year-end.
The DOE and DA are also pursuing a pilot biomass project that would use reactors to convert livestock manure into fertilizer and energy.
Separately, the agencies are proposing amendments to Joint Administrative Order 2008-1 to align existing regulations with developments in renewable energy and agriculture.