As much as 14,000 megawatts (MW) wind energy service contracts have been awarded as of February this year, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).
This is expected to increase with the World Bank Group’s (WBG) release yesterday of the offshore wind development roadmap in the Philippines .
The roadmap shows the Philippines has a potential to install 21 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power with the right long-term vision, infrastructure development, investment and policies.
The report noted a capital expenditure of about $7.5 billion would be required to pursue a low-growth scenario of offshore wind projects in the Philippines of 3 GW capacity by the end of 2040 and as much as $50 billion under a high- growth scenario of 21 GW capacity by end-2040.
“One of the next steps that we are taking to build the Philippine offshore wind industry is a high-level technical study on a representative offshore wind project that could be delivered before 2030,” said DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella.
Jie Tang, WBG energy practice manager for East Asia and Pacific region, said the Philippines is seen with a total of 178 GW of technical offshore wind potential.
The study identified six potential development zones for offshore wind: northwest Luzon.
Manila, northern Mindoro, southern Mindoro Guimaras strait and Negros-Panay.
However, it also identified possible environmental constraints like the presence of whales and dolphins; coastal habitats and mangroves; coral reefs; and marine reserve areas, among others.
As of end-2020, the Philippines’ total installed capacity from wind power projects is at 427 MW equivalent to only 1.7 percent of the entire mix. – Jed Macapagal
