DOE to scout sites for wind energy projects

The country’s target of having offshore wind assets is gaining more ground as the Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to accelerate the acquisition of land properties to support its rollout.

In pursuit of that goal, the DOE and the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) inked a memorandum of agreement signed by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin and PNOC president and CEO Franz Josef George Alvarez.

The state-run company would serve as DOE’s designated agency tasked to speed up the processing of leases or permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The government hopes its goal of scaling up the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 35 percent by 2030 will receive a boost from the firing up of offshore wind developments by 2028.

Currently, the share for clean power assets is 25 percent.

But the country’s first auction for wind technology has faced a delay. The DOE in July cited logistical issues, infrastructure readiness and supply chain risks tied to the Middle East conflict.

Projects for auction

The DOE, however, intends to pursue the green energy auction round for offshore wind projects by December. The bidding covers 3,300 megawatts of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity, expected for delivery between 2028 and 2030.

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The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) earlier said the Philippines needs at least $500 million to upgrade ports to support the launch of offshore wind parks.

Ann Margret Francisco, GWEC director for the Asia-Pacific, said in June the group has initiated talks with financial institutions to raise funds for the modernization of ports.

“Particularly because it will be constructed at sea, you will need vessels. And for equipment of that size, you will definitely need adequate space. And that’s the reason why you would need ports as a starting point for the business,” Francisco said.