DOE endorses 29 RE projects

For grid impact study

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Energy (DOE) has cleared 29 renewable energy (RE) projects to undertake a system impact study (SIS) with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

“In August 2024, the DOE issued 29 SIS endorsements to the NGCP, which are composed of one amendment and 28 new applications,” the agency said in a report.

Such studies are conducted to determine the capacity of the power grid to accommodate a new connection and identify necessary improvements such as additional transmission lines, transformers or substations.

Of the total endorsements last month, 13 are solar projects, 13 are wind developments and the remaining are hydropower projects, the DOE data showed.

Among the biggest projects by capacity are Maaraw Renewable Energy Corp.’s 375.4-megawatt-peak solar project in Cebu, Cleanergy 2 Power Inc.’s 261.9-MW solar project in Nueva Ecija, Giga Ace 14 Inc.’s 258.5-MWp solar project in Pangasinan, Lihangin Wind Energy Corp.’s 206.3-MW wind project in Northern Samar and NewAsia Power Energy 3 Corp.’s 181-MWp floating solar plant in Pampanga.

Likewise, SIS endorsements were also issued to First Gen Visayas Energy Inc.’s nine wind projects with a capacity of 100 MW each in La Union, Agusan del Norte, Iloilo, Zamboanga Sibugay,  Zamboanga del Norte, Bataan and Bohol.

The list also includes the two phases of ZMW Group Corp.’s San Vicente-Ubay solar plant in Bohol, Alabel Solar Energy Corp.’s 98-MWp solar project in South Cotabato, Bolo Renewable Energy Corp.’s 62-MWp Atimonan solar project and 97.7-MWp Ultra solar project in Quezon and Bukidnon Hydro Energy Corp.’s 32.5-MW hydro project in Bukidnon.

The DOE also issued clearances for Alsons Energy Development Corp.’s 10.6-MW Bago 1 and 7.8-MW Bago 2 hydro projects in Negros Occidental, Spotlight Power Inc.’s 74.3-MWp solar project in Pangasinan, Caraga Wind Energy Corp.’s 36-MW wind project in Agusan del Norte and Wyn Power Corp.’s 50-MWp solar project in Batangas.

Other endorsed projects are CapitalOne Mabini Solar Inc.’s 64.2-MWp solar project in Pangasinan, Taft Solar Energy Corp.’s 20.16-MWp solar project in Eastern Samar, The Blue Circle Philippines Cebu Corp.’s 62-MW wind project in Camarines Sur and Pacific Impact Energy Corp.’s 61.6-MWp solar project in Pangasinan.

The DOE also approved the amendment to the previously issued SIS to CleanTech Global Renewables Inc.’s 144-MW wind project in Quezon.

Since January, the DOE has endorsed a total of 129 power generation projects, of which 126 are RE and three are energy storage systems.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the government wants to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.