The Department of Energy (DOE) has approved 19 pre-identified areas seen ripe for renewable energy development under the fourth open and competitive selection process (OCSP) to be conducted this year.
Under OCSP, prospective developers bid for the right to develop pre-determined areas where the DOE has conducted prior resource studies.
Energy Undersecretary Rowena Guevara at the Philippine Electric Power Industry Forum in Manila on Monday said that of the identified 19 areas, 13 are hydro prospects with potential capacity of 86.25 megawatts (MW), three are geothermal with capacity of 160 MW and another three in wind projects whose potential capacity is not yet completed.
Guevara said the geothermal prospects include the Buguias-Tinoc in Ifugao province, Mabini in Batangas, and Mt. Sembrano traversing Pililla and Jala-jala in Rizal province and Pangil and Pakil in Laguna.
The hydro prospects, areas under OCSP-4 include Tinoc, Ifugao province; Alilem, Ilocos Sur; San Remigio, Antique; Libacao, Aklan; Badian, Cebu; Dingalan, Aurora; Carrascal and Cantilan in Surigao del Sur; Digos City, Davao del Sur; Manabo, Abra; Naujan, Oriental Mindoro; Calamba, Misamis Occidental; and two in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
As for for wind projects under OCSP-4, the DOE identified San Jose City in Nueva Ecija; Pantabanganan, Nueva Ecija; and Bagac, Bataan.
The submission and opening of bid documents is scheduled between June 9 to July 18 this year while evaluation of legal, technical and financial capabilities of winning bidders will be from July 19 to August 1.
Meanwhile, the endorsement of bid results is scheduled on August 8 as the DOE approval is set on August 15 with the pre-signing and award of contracts expected to happen from August 18 to September 12 this year.
