The Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA) on Tuesday expressed strong optimism over the appointment of DOE officer-in-charge Sharon Garin, citing her familiarity with the agency’s operations and stakeholders as a reassuring move for renewable energy investors. PSSEA Chair Theresa Cruz-Capellan lauded the continuity in leadership, emphasizing the need for predictable policy and regulatory environments.
In light of the leadership change, PSSEA renewed its call for reforms to the Green Energy Auction (GEA) Program. The group urged the DOE to ease financial barriers, particularly the P1 million per megawatt bid bond requirement, which they argue restricts wider participation and favors industry concentration. Capellan highlighted the success of earlier feed-in-tariff (FIT) programs, which saw broad participation due to the absence of such financial hurdles.
The alliance believes that reforming GEA rules could significantly boost local solar development and attract a more diverse pool of developers. As of April 2025, the Philippines’ on-grid solar capacity stands at 3,003 MW, accounting for 9.7 percent of the country’s total power mix.
