Philippines DOE Boosts Floating Solar in GEA-4 with Expanded Capacity and New Guidelines

The Philippines Department of Energy (DOE) has strengthened its support for renewable energy innovation by issuing Advisory No. 2 under the Fourth Round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-4), introducing significant enhancements to promote Floating Solar technology.

Floating Solar, an emerging clean energy solution that utilizes bodies of water such as lakes, reservoirs, and dams for solar panel installations, presents multiple benefits, including optimized land use, reduced water evaporation, and improved panel efficiency through natural cooling.

As part of the advisory, the DOE has announced the strategic reallocation of the 1,040MW target capacity originally scheduled for Luzon in 2026. The revised allocation will be distributed across 2027, 2028, and 2029, providing developers additional preparation time, enhancing project feasibility, and ensuring grid readiness for this specialized technology.

In addition to adjustments in Luzon, the DOE has approved an additional 175MW capacity for Floating Solar in the Visayas region, which will be auctioned in 2027 and 2028. This expansion offers new opportunities for project development, particularly in regions where available land is limited.

The updated guidelines also include detailed post-award compliance requirements. Winning bidders are now required to submit comprehensive project designs that reflect the awarded configuration. For Solar + Energy Storage System (ESS) projects, developers must conduct a new System Impact Study or Distribution Impact Study to ensure proper integration into the grid.

Further, bid bond calculations will now be based solely on the MWAC of the solar component, providing financial clarity and consistency for participating developers.

To streamline the registration process, the DOE has also released updated Instructions to Bidders and a revised GEA-4 Registration Form, issued as Annexes C and D.1, respectively.

These measures highlight the DOE’s continued efforts to establish a transparent, competitive, and forward-looking renewable energy auction framework. As the Philippines aims to achieve a 35% renewable energy share by 2030, Floating Solar is expected to play a transformative role in diversifying the country’s energy mix and ensuring a cleaner, more resilient power system for future generations.