The Philippines will fast-track around 1.471 GW of renewable energy and storage capacity from 22 projects
Solar PV dominates the pipeline with close to 1.3 GW, followed by small additions from hydro, biomass, wind, and an IRESS
The move is part of a broader directive by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to accelerate 200 power plants over 3 years, according to the Department of Energy
In a spillover effect of the escalating crisis in the Middle East, the Philippines has decided to fast-track around 1.471 GW of new renewable energy and energy storage capacity. This capacity is planned to be grid-connected by April 2026.
Solar PV projects with a combined 1.284 GW make up the bulk of the 22 power projects on this list, followed by 6 hydroelectric facilities with 48.23 MW, 2 biomass projects with 38 MW, a wind project with 13.56 MW, and a 20 MW integrated renewable energy storage system (IRESS).
All of these projects are already at an advanced stage of construction or are undergoing final testing and commissioning.
“This effort supports the government’s response under Executive Order No. 110 to secure stable and reliable electricity supply for Filipino households and businesses, while helping ease the pressure of rising fuel costs,” stated the Department of Energy (DOE).
On grid connection, these facilities will provide critical near-term capacity to support rising electricity demand and strengthen overall grid reliability as the global oil market remains impacted by developments in the Middle East, it added.
Filipino President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the DOE to fast-track 200 power plants over the next 3 years as the government targets the delivery of additional power supply. Of these, 24 projects are already operational, representing an aggregate of 1.178 GW, including 3 solar projects, along with 7 battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities. The 22 projects to be fast-tracked are also part of this plan.
“Every megawatt that can be safely and lawfully brought into the grid strengthens our ability to meet demand, manage supply risks, and protect consumers,” said Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin. “The Department is fully engaged across the entire power value chain, from generation to transmission to market operations to help ensure that these projects move forward at the soonest possible time.”
DOE also welcomed the grid connection of the initial 250 MW of solar and 450 MWh of battery storage capacity by MTerra Solar, out of its 3.5 GW solar and 4.5 GWh BESS capacity planned as the world’s largest integrated project for these technologies (see Asia Pacific Solar PV News Snippets).
“Amid the Middle East conflict, accelerating the development of renewable energy and storage is both a strategic necessity and a national imperative,” added Garin.
The Philippines has announced plans to auction at least 25 GW of additional renewable energy capacity under its 10-year Green Energy Auction Program (GEA) that will run through 2035. Plans are to commission it by 2027 (see Philippines To Auction 25 GW Additional RE Capacity By 2035).