‘Philippines energy transition gaining momentum’

Jakarta – The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the Philippines' energy transition is gaining momentum, with significant progress in renewable energy development and a renewed interest in nuclear power. IEA Regional Cooperation Center head Sue-Ern Tan highlighted the government's "great steps" in preparing the country for its energy future, particularly through policies designed to attract investment in cleaner power sources.

Tan pointed to the green energy auction (GEA) program as a positive market signal, noting the DOE's completion of the fourth GEA round, which secured over 9,400 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity. The DOE has also unveiled a 10-year auction roadmap aiming to achieve at least 25 gigawatts of capacity by 2035, with yearly auctions including a special round for waste-to-energy facilities and GEA-5 for offshore wind projects.

These initiatives align with the government's goal of increasing renewable energy's share in the mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. Beyond renewables, Tan noted the Philippines' strides in nuclear power, including the DOE's plans to launch the bidding process for a new nuclear plant in June 2027, with potential state funding support.

While the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, Southeast Asia's only existing nuclear facility, was built in the 1980s and never commissioned, the country is now targeting around 1,400 MW of nuclear capacity by 2038. However, Tan cautioned that the energy transition remains a challenging journey for the Philippines, balancing the push for cleaner energy with the need to maintain reliable and affordable power, given the heavy reliance on coal, which currently accounts for about 60 percent of the energy mix.