DOE starts bid process for 22 hydro, steam project sites contracts

The Department of Energy (DOE) has launched the latest bidding process for service contracts related to 22 potential sites for hydro and geothermal projects across the country, setting Feb. 15 as the deadline for submission of offers.

Held last Jan. 5, the kickoff of the program dubbed “3rd Open and Competitive Selection Process” (OCSP3) also entailed a presubmission conference for interested parties.

“The DOE is encouraged by the active participation of 114 future investors that will help further accelerate the development of renewable energy in the country,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.

But according to information from the DOE, the 114 who attended the meeting included—in addition to interested bidders—“various stakeholders … (representatives of) local government units and national government agencies.”

The formal launch of OCSP3 follows a stakeholders’ consultation that the DOE held in July 2020.

The program covers 22 “predetermined areas” or PDAs, of which 17 are suitable for hydro power projects and five for geothermal energy projects.

All together, the 22 PDAs represent a potential aggregate power generating capacity of 150 megawatts—an average of about 7 MW per site.

There is enough technical data on these sites that are available and may serve as initial reference for those who are interested to acquire rights to develop the projects, according to the DOE.

Bid documents will be opened on the day of the deadline for submission, Feb. 15. The DOE plans to have awarded by April 14 contracts that will not be covered by a financial and technical assistance agreement (FTAA). Contracts that will be covered by an FTAA are scheduled to be forwarded to the Office of the President by April 19.