The Department of Energy (DOE) is stepping up the implementation of its waste-to-energy (WTE) program following President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s renewed call to turn residual waste into a productive resource, amid concerns over garbage accumulating in waterways and contributing to flooding.
The President’s directive gives further momentum to ongoing DOE efforts to develop WTE as an additional energy resource, while supporting the government’s broader solid waste management objectives.
“The President has underscored the need for a more integrated approach to addressing our waste challenges. Waste that can no longer be reused or recycled should not simply end up in landfills or waterways. Subject to strict environmental safeguards, appropriate residual waste can be converted into useful energy and contribute to our power supply,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said.
The DOE last month officially resumed the activities concerning Special Auction Round for Waste[1]to-Energy under the Green Energy Auction Program, increasing the installation target from 230 megawatts (MW) to 400 MW and revising the auction terms to encourage greater participation and accelerate investment in qualified WTE projects.
The Auction Proper is scheduled on 13 October 2026, with Winning Bidders’ projects expected to achieve Mechanical Completion by the end of 2028 and begin delivering electricity by the end 2029.
The DOE sees WTE as an additional pathway for managing suitable residual waste that would otherwise require final disposal, while producing electricity that can contribute to the country’s growing energy requirements.
Metro Manila alone generates an estimated 9,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste daily. Based on DOE estimates, the current waste stream in the metropolis could support around 200 MW of WTE capacity, subject to the availability and suitability of feedstock and other technical requirements.
The Department stressed, however, that WTE is intended to complement, not replace, waste reduction, segregation, reuse, recycling, and materials recovery under the country’s solid waste management framework. Only acceptable residual wastes should be considered as feedstock for WTE facilities.
Environmental compliance will likewise remain a central requirement in the development of WTE projects. Facilities will be required to comply with applicable environmental laws, permitting requirements, and emissions standards throughout their development 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,” Secretary Garin said.
Developer interest in WTE has been growing, including potential projects in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. Aggregate proposals have approached 400 MW, highlighting the need to carefully assess the availability and sustainability of feedstock alongside the technical, environmental, commercial, and implementation viability of each project.
The DOE emphasized that proposed capacity does not automatically translate into project awards.
Projects will have to demonstrate adequate and sustainable waste supply, technical and financial capability, environmental compliance, competitive cost, and the ability to meet required development timelines.
“We are seeing significant interest from developers, but our objective is not simply to award capacity. We want projects that are technically sound, environmentally compliant, supported by sustainable feedstock, commercially viable, and capable of delivering electricity to the grid,” Secretary Garin said.
The DOE continues to engage relevant government agencies, local government units, developers, and other stakeholders on project eligibility, registration, feedstock requirements, technical standards, and implementation arrangements to ensure that projects advanced under the program are practical and deliverable.
Consistent with the private sector-led structure of power generation in the country, WTE generation projects are expected to be financed and developed by qualified project proponents under the applicable market and auction framework.
“We are moving WTE from policy into implementation. The President’s renewed push gives further momentum to that work. Our task now is to identify viable projects, uphold the necessary environmental and technical standards, and move qualified facilities toward construction and eventual delivery of electricity to the grid,” Secretary Garin said.
