DOE adds 1.5 GW under Task Force 200

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

The Department of Energy said 40 energy projects have been completed in 2026 under Task Force 200, bringing 1.5 gigawatts of new capacity into full commercial operation.

Task Force 200 is a DOE-led initiative created to accelerate the completion of 200 power projects over the next three years.

The initiative was formed after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed the department to fast-track the projects in his fourth State of the Nation Address.

The DOE said the task force is addressing implementation bottlenecks, coordinating regulatory requirements and working with government agencies and private developers to ensure the timely delivery of additional power supply across the country.

Among the completed projects are nine battery energy storage system projects with a combined capacity of 169.7 megawatts.

Battery energy storage systems store electricity and release it when needed, helping improve operational flexibility and grid reliability as the Philippines integrates more renewable energy into the power system.

The DOE said 14 more projects with a combined capacity of 371.8 MW are in the advanced stages of testing and commissioning.

The projects are expected to enter commercial operation once their remaining technical and regulatory requirements are completed.

Energy Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan said the task force continues to monitor each project to keep implementation schedules on track and proactively address issues that may affect completion.

Among the major projects under active monitoring are the Bugallon and Terra Solar power facilities, which have expected capacities of 530 MW and up to 750 MW, respectively.

The facilities are undergoing commissioning activities, with testing progressing in coordination with the system operator.

The DOE said it is working closely with project proponents and relevant stakeholders to expand the plants’ testing capacity in the coming weeks as part of phased commissioning toward full commercial operation.

“The steady progress of Task Force 200 demonstrates what can be achieved through strong coordination between government and the private sector,” Usec Marasigan said. “Every project that reaches commercial operation strengthens our energy security, improves the reliability of our power system, and helps ensure that sufficient electricity is available to support economic growth and meet the needs of Filipino consumers.”

The agency said the additional capacity supports the government’s broader effort to improve power supply reliability as demand rises and the country shifts toward a cleaner generation mix.

The DOE earlier said 200 renewable energy projects nationwide are projected to contribute about 13,000 MW of renewable energy capacity once completed, while 18 projects in the Ilocos Region alone are expected to generate around 1,900 MW of committed supply.

The DOE also maintains public listings of committed and indicative private sector-initiated power projects across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, reflecting the government’s monitoring of incoming generation capacity.

The agency said Task Force 200 will continue working with project proponents, regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders to accelerate the completion of the remaining projects in the pipeline.

The DOE said the goal is to deliver additional power capacity needed to support the country’s long-term energy security and development targets.