MANILA – The Department of Energy (DOE) announced Tuesday it partnered with the World Bank Group to craft a roadmap to harness the country’s offshore wind energy as a potential source of clean power.
In a statement, the DOE said the World Bank Group’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) will be funding the Philippine offshore wind roadmap project.
“The project aims to identify areas in the Philippines with high potential for offshore wind development, establish short and long-term offshore wind targets, formulate strategies to successfully integrate offshore wind in the government's renewable energy (RE) portfolio, and put forth recommendations on policies that are necessary to foster a conducive business environment for offshore wind investors,” it said.
The DOE added the BVG Associates was commissioned to explore the technical, economic, environmental, social, employment, and financing aspects of putting up an offshore wind market in the country.
During the launch of the project on June 21, WBG Offshore Wind Development Program co-lead Mark Leybourne said the Philippines has over 170 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind potential.
DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the roadmap will help the country to develop and utilize wind energy.
“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," Cusi said.
He added broadening the offshore wind prospects will help to accelerate the country’s goal of achieving 35-percent share of renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030.
The DOE also said it awarded five wind energy service contracts with a combined potential capacity of 5 GW from offshore wind.
These wind power projects (WPP) include the Guimaras Strait WPP, the Aparri Bay WPP, the Guimaras Strait II Wind Project, the Frontera Bay WPP, and the San Miguel Bay WPP. (PNA)
