The Department of Energy (DOE) is accelerating its waste-to-energy (WTE) programs following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s renewed directive to turn leftover waste into useful resources, amid growing concerns that garbage building up in waterways is contributing to flooding.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said waste that cannot be reused or recycled should not simply be sent to landfills or left in waterways. She noted that converting suitable residual waste into energy is a viable option, provided strict environmental safeguards are put in place.
The DOE has restarted preparations for the dedicated auction round for WTE projects under the Green Energy Auction Program. The target capacity to be awarded has been raised to 400 MW, up from the earlier 230 MW, and auction rules have been updated to draw more participants and speed up investments in qualified projects.
The actual auction will take place on October 13. Selected projects are expected to be mechanically completed by the end of 2028 and start supplying electricity by the end of 2029.
Metro Manila alone produces roughly 9,000 metric tons of household solid waste every day. The DOE estimates this volume could support around 200 MW of WTE capacity, subject to consistent supply, suitable waste quality and other technical conditions.
The agency clarified that WTE will support—not replace—existing waste management steps including waste reduction, sorting, reuse, recycling and materials recovery. Only properly identified residual waste will be accepted as fuel for these facilities.
All WTE projects must follow environmental laws, secure necessary permits and meet required emission limits at every stage of construction and operation. “We want these projects built, but we also want them built to the highest standards. WTE cannot solve one environmental problem by creating another. These facilities must meet strict environmental safeguards while providing a reliable way to manage residual waste and generate useful energy,” Garin said.
As of end-June 2026, the Philippines has just 7 MW of installed grid-connected WTE capacity.
