The Philippines’ Department of Energy has launched its Fifth Green Energy Auction (GEA-5), targeting 3,300MW of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity for delivery between 2028 and 2030.
It is the country’s first auction dedicated solely to offshore wind and forms part of its broader Green Energy Auction Program under Department Circular No. DC2021-11-0036.
The DOE said fixed-bottom technology was selected due to its maturity, cost-efficiency and global scalability, providing a reliable foundation for the sector’s growth.
“By prioritising fixed-bottom offshore wind for GEA-5, we are investing in a technology that is ready to deliver,” said energy secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla.
“This allows us to set a strong and credible foundation for the country’s offshore wind sector, one that can deliver first power by 2028.”
The auction aligns with targets set out in the Philippine Energy Plan 2025–2050 and the National Renewable Energy Program.
While the DOE acknowledged the long-term potential of floating wind, it said the technology remains in early stages of development and is not yet commercially scalable.
“We are still keeping the door open for floating offshore wind technology,” said undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara.
“As global experience grows and the technology matures, the DOE will reassess its inclusion in future auction rounds.
“For now, our focus is to build momentum with fixed-bottom projects that can succeed under current technical, regulatory, and infrastructure conditions.”
The DOE said it sees future opportunities for floating wind in Southeast Asia as supply chains evolve and early pilot projects address deployment challenges.