Over 29 GW wind, geothermal projects secure DOE go-signal

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January 6, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has granted certificates of authority (COAs) to more than 29 gigawatts of wind and geothermal projects, clearing the way for pre-development activities.

As of October 2025, the pipeline comprised 80 planned onshore and offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of 29.236 gigawatts, along with two geothermal developments totaling 120 megawatts, latest DOE data showed.

Luzon accounts for around seven in every 10 wind projects, with the rest spread across the Visayas and Mindanao.

Both planned geothermal projects, meanwhile, are sited in Luzon.

A COA is an early-stage authorization that allows renewable energy (RE) developers to carry out feasibility studies, obtain necessary permits and start other pre-development activities.

The validity period depends on the project type, with biomass, geothermal, hydropower, ocean and wind projects having three years and land-based solar and floating solar projects having one and two years, respectively.

But the certification may be recalled if the developer fails to demonstrate reasonable efforts to complete the required activities within the allotted time frame.

In 2024, the DOE issued revised omnibus guidelines to simplify the application process for RE development and fast-track the project implementation.

Under the new guidelines, developers can now begin processing permits and conducting surveys and other feasibility activities before the official start of their 25-year contract term.

Previously, these activities were only permitted after the contract had been approved and signed by the DOE Secretary.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the government aims to increase RE’s share in the power mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040 from the current 22 percent.

Just late last month, however, the DOE terminated eight more RE contracts largely due to non-compliance with their work program requirements.

This brought the total number of revoked contracts in 2025 to 84, representing over 5,300 MW of potential capacity.

“The DOE will not compromise on contract discipline. Service contracts are performance commitments, and renewable energy projects must deliver real, reliable power for Filipino consumers,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.