Philippines Sets Out Offshore Wind Roadmap

The Philippines Department of Energy (DOE) has launched an Offshore Wind Roadmap project with support from the World Bank Group (WBG).

Funded through the WBG's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the project aims to identify areas in the Philippines with high potential for offshore wind development.

It also aims to establish short and long-term offshore wind targets; formulate strategies to successfully integrate offshore wind in the government's renewable energy (RE) portfolio.

Finally, the project will put forth recommendations on policies that are necessary to foster a conducive business environment for offshore wind investors.

The WBG commissioned BVG Associates (BVGA) to explore the technical, economic, environmental, social, employment, and financing aspects of establishing an offshore wind market in the Philippines.

DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi expressed his appreciation for the support of the WBG in helping the Philippines bolster the development and utilization of wind energy.

He said: "As the country actively pursues the energy transition, broadening our offshore wind prospects would help fast-track meeting our goal of attaining a 35% renewable energy (RE) share in our energy mix by the year 2030.

"This project is another key milestone for the energy sector, as we continue to deepen our ability to harness the country's vast RE resources."

According to WBG Offshore Wind Development Program co-lead Mark Leybourne, early estimates indicate that the Philippines "has over 170GW of offshore wind potential".

He further assured the DOE on the delivery of a "robust, independent, and practical assessment of the possible ways forward for offshore wind in the Philippines."

Currently, the DOE has awarded five Wind Energy Service Contracts (Guimaras Strait Wind Power Project, Aparri Bay Wind Power Project, Guimaras Strait II Wind Project, Frontera Bay WPP, and San Miguel Bay WPP) with the combined potential capacity of 5GW from offshore wind.

A total of 179 participants joined the virtual launch which included energy industry stakeholders, RE developers, investors, wind turbine manufacturers and suppliers, as well as representatives from other government agencies and the academe.

The Philippine Offshore Wind Roadmap is among the series of offshore wind roadmap studies commissioned by the WBG under the joint ESMAP-International Finance Corporation Offshore Wind