The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) has released a timeline for recalibrating the fifth round of its Green Energy Auction Program (GEA-5), aimed at offshore wind, scheduled for 1 December 2026.
The DOE issued the Notice of Auction and Terms of Reference on 25 November 2025, launching GEA-5. Earlier this year, the department opened registration for bidders, with qualification until early July and bidding from late July to September 2026, announcing provisional winners then.
On 4 July, the DOE paused GEA-5 to review the auction framework with government agencies and industry stakeholders, focusing on infrastructure readiness, permitting, environmental and port costs, grid connection, and global supply chain considerations.
The updated schedule, dated 29 July, involves the DOE and agencies such as the Philippine Ports Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and National Grid Corporation reviewing port and grid readiness by 2 September 2026.
A Department Circular for policy framework recalibration is expected by 24 August, with publication in early September. A Supplemental Terms of Reference (TOR) will follow public consultation, with approval by 2 October 2026.
Post-TOR, the DOE will resume GEA-5, release an updated auction schedule, and provide new instructions to bidders.
Activities, including publishing qualified bidders, will occur in the fourth quarter of 2026. The auction is targeted for 1 December 2026, with post-auction processes from 2 December 2026 to 30 June 2027.
The DOE noted dates are indicative and may change based on inter-agency coordination and legal reviews. GEA-5 suspension from 4 July continues until the Circular and Supplemental TOR are issued.
Projects moving through GEA-5 include the 901 MW San Miguel Bay offshore wind project, owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and ACEN Corporation, and three projects by a consortium of Seawind Asia, Stream Invest Holdings, and Triconti ECC Renewables: the 450 MW Frontera Bay and two 600 MW Guimaras Strait projects.
In June, CIP met with the Department of Finance to discuss project milestones, financing, and auction prep.
Earlier this year, the Seawind Asia consortium secured grid connection agreements for its wind farms, detailing technical and transmission requirements for the Philippine grid.
According to the DOE’s November 2025 Notice and TOR, the 3.3 GW of fixed-bottom offshore wind projects from the auction are expected to operate between 2028 and 2030.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz