The Department of Energy (DOE) has expanded the target capacity under the 4th Green Energy Auction (GEA4) to 10,653 MW, up from 10,478 MW, highlighting a policy shift to bolster floating solar deployment. In an advisory signed by Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and released Thursday, the DOE confirmed the addition of 175 MW dedicated to floating solar in the Visayas, to be auctioned in 2027 and 2028.
The increase reflects growing institutional backing for innovative renewable energy (RE) technologies. The agency also redistributed 1,040 MW of floating solar capacity initially slated for Luzon in 2026 to later years, citing the need to enhance feasibility and grid readiness.
DOE said the revised auction design not only diversified RE sources but also fosters broader developer participation by extending lead times. Floating solar, in particular, is seen as a strategic solution for island and land-constrained regions, with the agency calling its integration into the national RE mix a “historic push.”
