FILE PHOTO: Department of Energy (DOE) facade. Images from DOE / INQUIRER FILES

Firms engaged in solar power developments are urging the government to conduct the fourth round of green power auctions this quarter without further delay, as doing so could discourage investments in renewable energy.

The Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA) said that investors have been anticipating the speedy launch of the next auctions.

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The group said that the Department of Energy (DOE) should “not slide back and instead relentlessly pursue its net zero emission goals by ensuring the implementation of the contracting round for solar in the first quarter of 2025.”

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“The one-year gap in the scheduled auction has already sent jitters to potential investors. Any further delay on the upcoming Geap 4 will have a significant impact on the commitment of funders and partners,” PSSEA said in a statement over the weekend.

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The Green Energy Auction Program or Geap is one of the initiatives of the government to provide more boost to the renewable energy sector.

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The current administration hopes that by 2030, clean energy’s share in the power generation mix will be at 35 percent from the current 22 percent.

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The DOE said in December that it may release the notice of auction and terms of reference for the GEA-4, which would cover integrated renewable energy and energy storage systems (Iress).

According to the DOE, an Iress is “the integration of renewable energy sources with energy storage technologies like batteries, flywheel or pumped storage hydropower systems.”

The Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB), co-chaired by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and Bangsamoro government Minister of Finance, Budget and Management Ubaida Pacasem, approved on September 3 the Operational Working Group who will lead the crafting of the tax administration transition plan.

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Renewable energy sources are susceptible to intermittent generation of electricity. The Iress can address this issue as it can store power generated during peak hours. The stored electricity can then be tapped as backup power when the grid needs additional supply.

The PSSEA said putting a spotlight on Iress is a welcome move for the sector as it “will provide a short-term solution and allow additional solar capacity into the grid.”

One of the technologies also being considered for this round is liquefied natural gas.

So far, no additional details yet have been provided on the GEA-4.

Energy officials said in July that the GEA-4 would be pursued within 2024. However, the government still has its eyes set on the GEA-3, which has been also facing delays due to pending issues.

Asked for updates, Mylene Capongcol, director of the Renewable Energy Management Bureau of the DOE, said they have already responded to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to iron out the issues.

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She said that “as soon as” the ERC releases the complete bid pricegba777, the GEA-3 will be launched. INQ

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