BUSINESS

Fourth green auction draws 142 bidders

Maria Bernadette Romero

A total of 142 energy firms have qualified to participate in the Department of Energy’s (DoE) fourth round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-4).

In an advisory issued on 16 July but only made public on Thursday, the advisory showed that among the notable firms in the roster are Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation with 27 potential bids, Joy-Nostalg Solaris Inc. with 10, and SMC Global Light and Power Corp., the energy arm of San Miguel Corp., with 8.

Also included are Alabel Solar Energy Corp. and Envision Energy Power Corp., each with 7 potential bids, and Mainstream Renewable Power Philippines Corp., a unit of global renewables developer Mainstream Renewable Power, with 5.

Major industry bidders

Other participants include major industry players such as SN Aboitiz Power — Magat Inc., CleanTech Global Renewables Inc., Phinma Solar Energy Corp. and Basic Energy Corp.

The list, finalized by the Green Energy Auction-Bids Evaluation and Awards Committee (GEA-BEAC), followed the review of registration documents and appeals submitted by applicants.

The pre-bid conference for qualified companies is scheduled for 28 July via a virtual platform. Bidders are required to submit proof of bid bond posting and a unique email address per project between 12 and 27 August.

“The auction round covers the development of Solar, Solar integrated with Energy Storage Systems or IRESS, and Onshore Wind, and reinforcing the DoE’s commitment to increasing Renewable Energy share in the power generation mix while enhancing grid reliability and resiliency,” the DoE said in a statement.

Increased capacity

To recall, the DoE increased the capacity for the GEA-4 to 10,653 megawatts (MW), up from 10,478 MW, to boost developer participation and accommodate technologies like floating solar.

The updated target includes 9,553 MW from solar and wind projects for 2026 to 2029 delivery, plus 1,100 MW of solar with battery storage.

Floating solar capacity in Luzon was reallocated across later years, while 175 MW was added in the Visayas to meet investor demand.