The Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC)'s Subcommittee 4 led by the Department of Energy (DOE) conducted the first round of its Nuclear 101 Training Series attended by local media practitioners from Palawan and Masbate from 23-26 June 2025. 

The training kicked off with a whole-day information sharing at Somerset Millennium in Makati City that included the history and basics of nuclear energy tackled by National Power Corporation Officer-in-Charge Vice President Atty. Manuel Luis Plofino; overview of the Nuclear Energy Program (NEP) explained in a video presentation by NEP-IAC Technical Secretariat Head DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino; an overview of the draft NEP communication plan by the DOE Public Affairs Office team; the key criteria and standards in siting a nuclear power plant by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Associate Scientist Dr. Arturo S. Daag; and nuclear safety, security and safeguards by Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Senior Science Research Specialist Mary Gold Bulos. 

In her welcome remarks, DOE Nuclear Energy Division OIC Chief Shiela dela Cruz highlighted the need to inform, involve and engage with stakeholders whose concerns and feedback are crucial in the country's bid to embark on NEP, guided by the highest standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Meanwhile, Atty. Plofino cited the need to "know the facts and dispel the myths about nuclear energy to enable stakeholders to make an informed decision about the country's NEP" following extensive discussions on nuclear energy history and recent developments. 

Aside from asking the toughest questions, participants from the media were also given the opportunity to join an exposure visit to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant located in Morong, Bataan on 25 June 2025 to give them a clearer perspective on the processes and systems involved in tapping the energy source.

NEP-IAC created six subcommittees to address the 19 infrastructure issues identified by the IAEA soon after it was constituted under Executive Order 116. Meanwhile, subcommittee 4 is particularly in charge of the issues of stakeholder involvement, human resource development, and industrial involvement. 

Last December, the IAEA sent a mission to the Philippines for a followup Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) to check on the country's progress in developing the necessary infrastructure to embark on a nuclear power program. 

In the 2018 INIR, the IAEA issued 14 recommendations and 13 suggestions that involved passing a comprehensive nuclear law, clarifying a national position, enhancing regulatory independence, among others. 

In December 2024 follow-up INIR, the IAEA confirmed that nine of the recommendations have been fully addressed and that five were still in progress.

Recently, Congress ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill No. 2899 and House Bill No. 9293 or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, which establishes the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority or PhilATOM, calling it a milestone toward the safe, secure, and peaceful development of nuclear energy in the country. xxx

The Department of Energy (DOE) announces the list of Bidders under the Third Round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-3) which formally accepted bid awards following the posting of the Notice of Award (NOA) on the DOE website on 10 June 2025. The Bidders confirmed their acceptance by submitting written confirmations to the Department.

Pan Pacific Renewable Power Phils. Corp. accepted the award for three hydroelectric power projects (HPPs), including two impounding HPPs, such as the 150 MW Gened 1 and 150 MW Gened 2 projects, and the 2,000 MW Maton Pumped-Storage HPP. All projects are located in Apayao.

Coheco Badeo Corporation confirmed its acceptance for the 500 MW Kibungan Pumped-Storage HPP, located in Benguet.

Olympia Violago Water and Power, Inc. and Ahunan Power, Inc., both affiliates of Prime Infra, also accepted the award for their pumped-storage projects. Olympia Violago will develop the 600 MW Wawa Pumped-Storage 1 HPP in Rodriguez, Rizal, while Ahunan Power will undertake the 1,400 MW Pakil Pumped-Storage HPP in Pakil, Laguna.

San Roque Hydropower, Inc., an affiliate of the San Miguel Group, likewise accepted the award for three pumped-storage projects, such as the 800 MW San Roque Lower East Pumped-Storage HPP and 800 MW San Roque West Pumped-Storage HPP, both located in Itogon, Benguet; and the 250 MW Aklan Pumped-Storage HPP in Malay, Aklan.

Finally, Energy Development Corporation (EDC) and its affiliate Bac-Man Geothermal Inc. accepted the award for two geothermal facilities: the 5.645 MW Bago Binary Geothermal Power Plant – Unit 1 in Bago City, Negros Occidental, and the 21.573 MW Tanawon Geothermal Power Plant – Unit 1 in Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.

Following the acceptance of bid awards by the aforementioned Bidders, a total capacity of 6,677.218 MW is expected to be delivered between 2025 and 2035. ###

Following the release of the Draft Terms of Reference (TOR) and Notice of Auction (NOA) for the Fifth Round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-5) on 11 June 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) will convene a stakeholder dialogue with key players in the offshore wind (OSW) sector.

The dialogue will bring together representatives from offshore wind developers, industry associations, development partners, and key government agencies, including the Energy Regulatory Commission, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Philippine Ports Authority, Department of Transportation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and relevant DOE bureaus and offices.

This activity aims to solicit comments, clarify provisions, and common interpretation of the draft GEA-5 NOA, TOR, and Annexes, marking the first auction round dedicated exclusively to fixed-bottom OSW technology. The discussion will also cover related regulatory, technical, and infrastructure considerations to help ensure the smooth and successful implementation of the GEA-5 process.

“This dialogue is critical in ensuring that all stakeholders have a collective understanding of the draft NOA and TOR and are able to contribute to its refinement,” said Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara. “Through this engagement, we hope to address cross-cutting issues early on and set the stage for a smooth and well-coordinated auction process,” Undersecretary Guevara added.

The DOE encourages stakeholders to come prepared with insights and recommendations to further enhance the auction design and address challenges related to permitting, grid integration, port readiness, and inter-agency processes.

The dialogue is scheduled on 30 June 2025, with official invitations and program details to be sent directly to identified participants.

For more information, stakeholders may contact the DOE Renewable Energy Management Bureau – Wind Energy Management Division (WEMD) at telephone nos. (+632) 8840-1817 or 8479-2900 loc. 310, or via email at wemg.swemd@doe.gov.ph. ###

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to shield the Filipino families from the impact of rising fuel prices, Department of Energy (DOE) Officer-in-Charge Sharon S. Garin, together with officials from the Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB), led an on-site monitoring activities at fuel retail outlets in Taguig City today, 25 June 2025.

The inspection is also part of the DOE’s intensified consumer protection campaign aimed at ensuring that consumers receive petroleum products of the correct quantity and quality, and that price increases implemented by fuel retailers comply with the agreed staggered pricing mechanism, amid ongoing inflationary pressures from volatile global oil markets.

During the on-site inspection, a one-liter sample of each liquid fuel product was collected for quality testing at the DOE’s laboratory to verify compliance with established quality standards. The Department will evaluate the results and continue to closely monitor fuel retailers to ensure consumer protection and uphold accountability in the downstream oil industry. Duplicate samples were retained at the gas stations for their own reference and quality verification.

“Sa ganitong panahon na volatile ang presyo ng langis, higit nating kailangan ang mataas na antas ng malasakit at tapat na serbisyo,” said OIC Garin. “We thank our partners in the fuel industry for their continued commitment to serve the public with integrity and responsiveness. Filipino consumers deserve not only access to fuel, but also fair and honest treatment at the retail price level,” she added.

These on-site inspections, both routine and random, are regularly conducted by the DOE-OIMB and the Department’s Field Offices, as part of their regulatory mandate. Should violations be found, such as inaccurately calibrated dispensers, expired permits, or other forms of non-compliance, the DOE may recommend administrative sanctions or refer the case to the appropriate local government unit for the suspension or revocation of business permits. ###

The Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP), has launched the “Compendium: Guidebook to Permitting and Consenting for Offshore Wind Energy in the Philippines.” This new guidebook provides a clear, and practical roadmap to help developers and government agencies navigate more than 80 permits required to build offshore wind projects in the country.

With the Philippines’ offshore wind potential estimated at over 178 gigawatts (GW), and 92 service contracts already awarded to date representing over 65 GW in capacity, the country is well-positioned to lead in clean energy development. However, the permitting process, spread across more than 25 agencies, has long been a challenge for investors and developers. The guidebook responds to this need by outlining the full project cycle, from early site assessments and feasibility studies to construction, operation, and decommissioning.

Each step is matched with the appropriate regulatory requirements and timelines, allowing for better coordination and predictability. The guidebook also highlights the roles of agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

The initiative is aligned with Executive Order No. 21, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2023, which directs the creation of a unified permitting system for offshore wind energy. It also integrates with the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System, a digital platform operated by the DOE that consolidates energy-related permits into a single online system.

“This guidebook is a game-changer,” said Energy OIC Sharon S. Garin. “It transforms a complicated process into one that is streamlined, more transparent, and easier to follow for both government and investors.”

Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara emphasized the importance of both efficiency and accountability: “We fast-track processes, but never at the expense of environmental and community safeguards. The compendium ensures that good governance and clean energy go hand-in-hand.”
The guidebook was developed through year-long consultations with national government agencies, industry experts, and local government units. Technical support from NIRAS, an international consulting company specializing in development cooperation, offshore wind, and engineering and design services, helped benchmark international best practices to ensure that Philippine procedures are globally competitive while remaining grounded in domestic regulations.

In addition to regulatory steps, the guidebook covers best practices for marine spatial planning, environmental impact assessments, and community consultations. It offers practical guidance on how to secure Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC), conduct maritime and biodiversity surveys, and fulfill Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for areas with indigenous communities.

The DOE expects the compendium to reduce processing times, cut red tape, and improve investor confidence, all while ensuring that social and ecological protections remain in place. It is now publicly accessible on the DOE and ETP websites and will soon be fully operationalized through the EVOSS platform.

As the Philippines moves toward its goals of 35 percent renewable energy by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, offshore wind will play a central role. The launch of this guidebook marks a key milestone in building a permitting environment that supports both investment and accountability.

For energy developers, communities, and regulators, this guidebook signals a new era, one where progress is driven by clear policies, coordinated action, and a shared vision of a cleaner energy future. 

Access the guidebook now and power the future of clean energy in the Philippines here: https://legacy.doe.gov.ph/announcements/osw-guidebook-permitting-and-con...

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