The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are working on a joint plan to protect important agricultural land from excessive solar and renewable energy development in the Philippines.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has proposed geofencing around about 3 million hectares of flat agricultural land, particularly areas used for rice production. The proposal is aimed at protecting prime farmland as the country expands renewable energy capacity and prepares for the next Green Energy Auction (GEA).
The initiative follows discussions between Tiu Laurel and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin on how the Philippines can increase solar power generation while protecting land that is essential for food production.
Under the proposed system, the DA would digitally map priority agricultural areas and establish clear geographic boundaries around them. These maps would help renewable energy developers identify areas where solar and other energy projects should not be developed. At the same time, the system could guide investors toward locations that are more suitable for renewable energy projects.
Tiu Laurel said the DA has already identified flat rice-producing lands that should remain dedicated to agriculture. The next step is to digitally map and geofence these areas.
The agriculture department is also seeking ways for the renewable energy transition to directly benefit farmers and fisherfolk, especially by reducing their electricity costs. Officials are exploring possible arrangements that could connect renewable energy suppliers under the GEA, Green Energy Option (GEO), and Retail Competition and Open Access framework with qualified agricultural consumers.
Potential beneficiaries could include irrigation systems, rice mills, post-harvest facilities, cold storage plants, slaughterhouses, farms, fishponds, and other food production facilities. These operations often depend heavily on electricity, making energy costs an important part of overall production expenses.
The DOE is studying how renewable energy suppliers and distribution utilities could participate in such arrangements. The two agencies are also discussing the proposal with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), including the possibility of allowing savings from the GEO to be reflected in electricity rates for eligible agricultural users.
The DA and DOE are targeting October 2026 to sign a memorandum of agreement that would formalize their cooperation.
As part of the initiative, the DA plans to identify between 1,000 and 2,000 priority agricultural areas. These locations will then be cross-checked with existing and awarded energy projects to identify potential conflicts and prevent overlapping land use.
Tiu Laurel has also asked the DOE to provide a list of ongoing and awarded renewable energy projects. This information will allow regional agriculture officials to distinguish between approved developments and projects that are still being evaluated.
Agriculture Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro and Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevarra have been tasked with developing a Farm-to-Energy Framework in coordination with the ERC. The framework will explore ways for organized farmers and fisherfolk to gain greater access to renewable energy and reduce their electricity expenses.
According to Navarro, the framework could help agricultural energy users lower power costs, generate savings, and strengthen incomes across the farming and fisheries sectors.
The DA-DOE initiative reflects the Philippines’ effort to balance two major national priorities: expanding clean energy capacity and maintaining food security. The agencies aim to ensure that renewable energy development supports economic growth without reducing the agricultural land needed to produce food for the country.
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