Philippines to Bid Out 160 MW Biomass Projects to Boost Renewable Energy

The Department of Energy (DOE) is set to launch a new round of green energy auctions (GEA-6) focused on biomass technology, offering 160 megawatts (MW) of capacity. This initiative is a key step towards the government's goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in the country's power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030. Of the total capacity, 120 MW will be allocated for stand-alone facilities, while 40 MW will be designated for cogeneration projects. The delivery of these capacities is scheduled between July 2027 and December 2030. According to the DOE, the auction proper will be conducted in the fourth quarter of 2026. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is expected to release the green energy auction reserve price, or the maximum allowable bid ceiling per kilowatt-hour, by October 1. All biomass projects eligible under the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) can participate in this bidding. Biomass, defined by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, is a renewable energy source derived from plants and animals that can be burned directly for heat or converted into liquid and gaseous fuels, used for heating, electricity generation, and transportation fuel. The DOE has been in discussions with biomass providers to explore opportunities in advancing biomass generation, a move aimed at boosting the local energy mix. Furthermore, the agency is also pushing for a special auction for waste-to-energy (WTE) technology, a process that converts non-recyclable waste into electricity or fuel. Eleven groups have qualified to participate in this WTE activity. The Philippine government is actively encouraging more investments in the renewable energy sector, as it aims to increase renewables' share in the electricity generation mix from the current 25 percent to 35 percent by 2030. INQ