29/05/2026
ERC Approves Green Energy Auction Reserve Price for Pioneer Waste-to-Energy Projects
29 May 2026
PASIG CITY — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), under ERC Resolution No. 16, Series of 2026, has approved the Green Energy Auction Reserve (GEAR) Price for Pioneer Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Projects at Php 9.2959 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
The approved reserve price will serve as the benchmark price for the government’s upcoming Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) for pioneer WTE facilities. These projects aim to help provide additional and more reliable electricity supply while also addressing solid waste management concerns in different parts of the country.
Waste-to-Energy facilities convert municipal solid waste, such as household garbage, into electricity using thermal combustion technology. Under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) guidelines, only projects using municipal solid waste as fuel — without mixing it with other fuel sources — may qualify under the program.
The DOE, through the Green Energy Auction Committee (GEAC), has set an installation target of 230 megawatts (MW) for the Special Auction Round for WTE projects, with commercial operations to commence between September 2028 and March 2029.
The ERC explained that the approved GEAR Price was determined after public consultations and extensive evaluation of technical, financial, operational, and environmental factors submitted by stakeholders from the energy, renewable energy, and waste management sectors.
ERC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan said the initiative seeks to balance energy security, environmental sustainability, and consumer protection.
“The approval of the GEAR Price for Pioneer Waste-to-Energy Projects reflects the ERC’s commitment to support cleaner and more innovative energy technologies while protecting consumers. These projects can help provide additional and dependable power supply while also helping local government units address growing waste management challenges,” Chairperson Juan said.
He added, “The ERC carefully studied the costs and long-term requirements of these projects to ensure that the approved rate remains fair, transparent, and reflective of prudent and efficient costs.”
The ERC noted that WTE facilities require significant investments in equipment, pollution control systems, environmental monitoring, and long-term operations to ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards.
The Commission also emphasized that the development of WTE projects may help strengthen the country’s energy security by adding more renewable and dependable power sources, reducing dependence on imported fuels, and encouraging investments in modern waste management infrastructure.
The ERC reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, consumer-focused, and forward-looking regulation as the country continues to pursue a cleaner, more reliable, and more sustainable energy future.
A copy of ERC Resolution No. 16, Series of 2026 may be accessed here:
https://www.erc.gov.ph/Files/Render/issuance/48512. # # #
