DOE vows full backing for 16 offshore wind parks
A total of eight energy developers have committed to pursue 16 offshore wind projects in the country, with the Department of Energy (DOE) assuring investors that the government’s green power auction for this technology will advance in the third quarter this year.
Data from the DOE showed that these “front-runner” projects have a potential aggregate capacity of 16,600 megawatts (MW).
Leading these projects are Triconti Southwind Corp., Jet Stream Windkraft Corp., Ivisan Windkraft Corp., BuhaWind Energy Northern Luzon Corp., ACX3 Capital Holdings Inc., Vind Energy Corp., Domhain Earth Corp. and CI NMF (PH) Corp.
The provinces where the offshore wind parks are planned to be built include Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Bataan, Cavite, Ilocos Norte, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon, Cagayan, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, La Union, Northern Samar and Antique.
The DOE said the renewable energy producers plan to begin building them “by 2027 at the latest.”
The start of energy delivery to the country’s grid system may happen a year later, the DOE added.
Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said that the government will make sure that fifth round of the green energy auction, which would focus on offshore wind projects, will push through.
“The investors are assured, and therefore, they are keen on participating in the auction in the third quarter of this year,” she said.
Assurance
Guevara said that the project proponents could count on the government to address issues on transmission and logistics, as they have been in close coordination with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to further boost their respective networks.
Permitting processes are also expected to be swift for developers, with the DOE assisting them.
“We work with NGCP. We also work with the local government unit for right of way,” she added.
The DOE earlier sealed agreements with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the permitting processes and the PPA for the modernization of port infrastructure for logistics purposes.
