The Philippine Department of Energy has, with support from the World Bank Group, launched the Philippine Offshore Wind Roadmap project.
Funded through the World Bank Group’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the project aims to identify areas in the Philippines with high potential for offshore wind development.
The roadmap will also establish short and long-term offshore wind targets, formulate strategies to successfully integrate offshore wind in the government’s renewable energy portfolio, and put forth recommendations on policies that are necessary to foster a conducive business environment for offshore wind investors.
According to WBG Offshore Wind Development Program co-lead Mark Leybourne, early estimates indicate that the Philippines “has over 170 giggawatts (GW) of offshore wind potential” .
The World Bank Group commissioned BVG Associates to explore the technical, economic, environmental, social, employment, and financing aspects of establishing an offshore wind market in the Philippines.
“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,” the Department of Energy’s Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.
”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,” the Energy chief stated.”
The Department of Energy has so far awarded five wind energy service contracts to 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 5 GW.
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 academia.
The Philippine Offshore Wind Roadmap is among the series of offshore wind roadmap studies commissioned by the World Bank Group under the joint ESMAP-International Finance Corporation Offshore Wind Development Program.