DOE reviews 3 more applications for green power development

Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star) - March 15, 2021 - 12:00am
https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/03/15/2084276/doe-reviews-3-more-applications-green-power-development

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is evaluating applications of at least three more companies interested in participating in the country’s green energy auction slated in the middle of the year.

“We have around three or four applications undergoing evaluation,” DOE-Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) director Mylene Capongcol said in a text message.

There are six RE suppliers registered under the GEOP, dominated by the Lopez and Aboitiz Groups.

These are the Bacman Geothermal Inc., First Gen Energy Solutions Inc., SN Aboitiz Power-Magat Inc., SN Aboitiz Power-Res Inc., AC Energy Philippines Inc. and Sparc-Solar Powered Agri-Rural Communities Corp.

“The six firms are still marketing for GEOP customers,” Capongcol said.

The country has set the launch of its first green energy auction in June, where an initial 2,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) capacity will be offered.

Last July, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi signed the green energy tariff program policy to boost renewable energy development in the country.

The green energy tariff would “provide price signals on the commercial value of electricity generated from RE facilities,” which would be the basis of a benchmark rate for RE in the country.

Meanwhile, the green energy auction will facilitate supply contracting by qualified suppliers with eligible customers under a competitive process.

National Renewable Energy Board chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said a higher capacity is being eyed on the back of strong demand.

GEOP is a RE policy mechanism that provides end-users the option to choose RE resources as their source of energy. It is a non-fiscal incentive mechanism under Republic Act (RA) 9513 or the Philippine RE Act of 2008.