The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed last week that the country will need an additional 20 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity to meet its target of sourcing half of its power mix from renewables by 2040. Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin announced that this volume will be tendered through several further rounds of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEA). The national grid operator NGCP is closely coordinating the necessary transmission infrastructure.

A reliable auction roadmap through 2035

The Philippines is pursuing a clear path: 35 % renewables in the power mix by 2030 and 50 % by 2040. Since 2022, the DOE has completed four GEA rounds, expected to deliver more than 20 GW of capacity by 2035. In February 2026, the DOE additionally unveiled a ten-year auction pipeline covering a further 25 GW of capacity – with an estimated investment volume of PHP 2.5 trillion (approximately EUR 34.7 billion).

The next rounds, GEA-6 through GEA-9, are scheduled for 2026 and 2027 and cover a broad range of technologies: onshore wind, floating and ground-mounted solar, rooftop solar, biomass, waste-to-energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS). In parallel, GEA-5 marks the first auction dedicated exclusively to offshore wind, with 3.3 GW (delivery 2028–2030). The DOE estimates the archipelago’s offshore wind potential at up to 178 GW.

100 % foreign ownership permitted

DOE Circular No. 2022-11-0034, together with DOJ Opinion No. 21 (2022), removed the historical 40 % cap on the exploration, development and utilisation of solar, wind, hydro and ocean/tidal energy. Foreign investors may now hold 100 % equity in the project company. Other areas – such as geothermal projects or large hydro on public land – remain subject to differentiated rules. Land ownership remains structurally reserved to Philippine entities and must be addressed through long-term lease or usufruct arrangements.

Practical hurdles

Multi-stage permitting, transmission capacity and land access remain real-world constraints. On the positive side, NGCP now accepts advance-build solutions, allowing winning bidders to begin construction of connection infrastructure ahead of the formal schedule.

On the horizon: a mandatory certification regime for solar components

In parallel, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), acting through its Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), is preparing a mandatory certification regime for solar components – PV modules, inverters, charge controllers, BESS and cables, for both residential and commercial installations. Locally manufactured products will be required to carry the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality Certification Mark, while imports will require an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC). Products without the required certification will no longer be permitted for sale and may be subject to seizure. For D-A-CH manufacturers with established quality standards, this development should be competitively favourable – early engagement with the BPS procedures is nevertheless advisable.

What this means for D-A-CH companies

For equipment manufacturers, component suppliers, EPC contractors, project developers and institutional investors, this opens up a clearly structured market with a politically anchored demand pipeline through 2035. Anyone considering market entry should engage early with the structuring of the project vehicle, the Service Contract under the Renewable Energy Act, RPS compliance, BPS certification and the fiscal incentives available under the CREATE MORE regime.

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Your point of contact in the Philippines: Lutz Kaiser

Villanueva Gabionza & Dy Law Offices

20th/F Corporate Center
139 Valero St., Salcedo Village
Makati City 1227, Philippines

CELL: +63 995 985 4957
TEL: +63 2 8813 3351
FAX: +63 2 8816 6741

www.vgdlaw.ph
kaiser@adwa-law.com

Since June 2025, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) have expressly advised against the use of NRIC numbers for authentication purposes. In February 2026, the PDPC further announced stricter enforcement measures against private organisations that continue to use full or partial NRIC numbers for authentication.

The authorities have now published supplementary guidance to assist organisations in transitioning to more secure authentication methods. In particular, the guidance includes:

• examples of alternative authentication methods,
• considerations regarding the security aspects of the respective solutions,
• as well as practical recommendations for different use cases involving the sending of and access to electronic documents.

Organisations in Singapore should review their existing login, access, and document processes, especially where NRIC data is still being used in combination with dates of birth or other easily accessible information.

The updated guidance issued by the PDPC and CSA is available here:

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Your point of contact in Singapore: Dr. Andreas Respondek

Respondek & Fan Pte Ltd

1 North Bridge Road
#16-03 High Street Centre
Singapore 179094

CELL:      +65 9751 0757
TEL:        +65 6324 0060
FAX:       +65 6324 0223

www.rflegal.com
respondek@rflegal.com

Thailand has recently introduced stricter anti-corruption regulations for private companies involved in high-value public procurement projects. The new regulations apply to projects valued at more than THB 300 million (approximately EUR 7.85 million). The updated “Notification on Procurement Thresholds and Minimum Anti-Corruption Standards (No. 2),” issued by the Anti-Corruption Committee and published in the Government Gazette on 10 April 2026, will enter into force on 10 May 2026 and replaces key aspects of the 2024 framework.

A key feature of the new regulation is the introduction of stricter compliance deadlines. Anti-corruption policies and certifications must remain valid from the submission of the bid until the contractor receives the final payment; if expiration is imminent, prompt renewal and resubmission are required.

The revised standards impose additional obligations on both government agencies and bidders. Procuring entities must now include minimum anti-corruption requirements in their terms of reference, while bidders are required to submit updated self-assessment forms together with supporting evidence to demonstrate compliance.

Another significant change is the expanded scope of the term “conflict of interest.” The definition now extends beyond traditional business and family relationships to include benefits provided through close business associates and unregistered partners, with clearer illustrative examples being provided.

In light of these developments, companies should reassess their internal policies and closely monitor compliance deadlines in order to avoid risks relating to eligibility to participate and payment.

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Your point of contact in Thailand: Dr. Andreas Respondek

Respondek & Fan Ltd

United Center, 39th Floor, Suite 3904 B
323 Silom Road
Bangkok 10500, Thailand

CELL:     +66 89 896 4048
TEL:       +66 2 635 5498
FAX:       +66 2 635 5499

www.rflegal.com
respondek@rflegal.com

Since April 2026, the new Indian Income Tax Act, 2025, is in force and replaces the Income Tax Act, 1961, with all its amendments. The new act is much shorter (281,000 words instead of 505,000), has a more modern layout—numerous tables interrupt the running text—and is meant to be clearer, simpler, and a better read. One detail: so far, tax authorities called the fiscal period from April 2024 to March 2025 “Assessment Year 2025-26,” now it will be “Tax Year 2024-25,” which is easier to grasp. The tax policies and tax rates shall remain as before, changes will be in the detail. And of course, all section numbers change and we will need all new tax forms. One shall see whether the new act renders life easier for the taxpayer. And if Chancellor Merz wants to take India as an example and replace the German Einkommensteuergesetz of 1934 (!): The Income Tax Act, 2025, is not exactly a coaster, the German act still much shorter at 147,000 words.

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Your point of contact in India: Dr. Jörg Schendel

Suman Khaitan & Co.

W-13, West Wing, Greater Kailash Part-II
Delhi 110048, Indien

CELL:     +91 97 11 08 04 03
TEL:       +91 11 49 50 15 00
FAX:       +91 11 49 50 15 99

www.sumankhaitanco.in
germandesk@sumankhaitanco.in
schendel@adwa-law.com