The Department of Energy (DOE) officially launches the Fifth Green Energy Auction (GEA-5), marking a significant milestone in the Philippines’ push for offshore wind energy. This round is the first to focus exclusively on fixed-bottom offshore wind technology, offering an installation target of 3,300 megawatts (MW) with a delivery commencement period from 2028 to 2030.
GEA-5 is conducted pursuant to the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) guidelines under Department Circular No. DC2021-11-0036. It forms part of the DOE’s broader strategy to achieve the renewable energy targets outlined in the Philippine Energy Plan 2025 - 2050 and the National Renewable Energy Program.
Fixed-bottom offshore wind has been selected as the focus of GEA-5 due to its established global track record, cost-efficiency, and scalability. This approach positions the DOE to expedite the near-term deployment of offshore wind, supporting large-scale and reliable renewable energy generation aligned with the country's energy security and climate objectives.
“By prioritizing fixed-bottom offshore wind for GEA-5, we are investing in a technology that is ready to deliver,” said Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla. “This allows us to set a strong and credible foundation for the country’s offshore wind sector, one that can deliver first power by 2028.”
While the DOE acknowledges the promise of floating offshore wind technology, it remains in the early stages of development. Globally, only 240 MW of floating wind capacity has been deployed to date, with Hywind Tampen’s 88 MW, which began operations in 2023, currently the largest project. Although several tenders were awarded for floating offshore wind in 2024 in the United Kingdom, no large-scale commercial floating wind farms are operational as of date.
As the global floating offshore wind sector continues to evolve, there remains significant opportunity for growth in supply chains, particularly in Southeast Asia. While the technology remains in the early stages of commercial deployment, its development presents a critical window for proactive planning and capacity-building. Early projects will generate valuable insights, helping to address construction and commissioning challenges and paving the way for more streamlined and efficient deployments in the years ahead.
“We are still keeping the door open for floating offshore wind technology,” said Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara. “As global experience grows and the technology matures, the DOE will reassess its inclusion in future auction rounds. For now, our focus is to build momentum with fixed-bottom projects that can succeed under current technical, regulatory, and infrastructure conditions.”
The DOE invites offshore wind developers, port operators, transmission companies, and other stakeholders to review the GEA-5 Terms of Reference and submit inputs, comments, or clarifications on or before 18 June 2025 to [email protected] with the subject line: GEA5_Comments_Company Name.
The Terms of Reference, Notice of Auction, and other relevant documents are available on the DOE website at www.doe.gov.ph. For further inquiries, the Renewable Energy Management Bureau may be reached at telephone nos. (+632) 8840-1817 or 8479-2900 loc. 310. ###