Yuchengcos, Chinese firm forge offshore wind tie-up

MANILA, Philippines — The Yuchengco Group has joined forces with China’s Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd. to advance offshore wind developments in the Philippines, including a massive project in Luzon.

The partnership, executed through Yuchengco-led PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC), will initially focus on the planned two-gigawatt Northern Luzon Offshore Wind Project in Ilocos Norte.

Under the agreement, PGEC and Ming Yang will work together on technical, logistical and economic studies to assess offshore wind projects’ viability and development requirements.

These will include evaluating suitable offshore wind turbine technologies, projected energy generation, potential development strategies and estimated project costs.

Ming Yang, a leading Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, will also provide support for training and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen local expertise in offshore wind technology and project development.

Beyond offshore wind, the two companies will explore further collaboration in the country’s clean energy sector, including battery storage, solar power and other emerging technologies.

PGEC said the partnership combines its experience in Philippine renewable energy development with Ming Yang’s technical expertise in offshore wind technology and equipment manufacturing.

The agreement was signed on Nov. 6 in China by PGEC president and CEO Francisco Delfin Jr. and Ming Yang president Zhang Qiying. Yuchengco Group chairperson Helen Dee and Ming Yang chairman and founder Zhang Chuanwei witnessed the signing.

As the renewable power arm of listed PetroEnergy Resources Corp., PGEC wants to unlock the potential of offshore wind projects to drive its growth and expansion.

PGEC, through Buhawind Energy Philippines, is targeting the completion of the Northern Luzon Offshore Wind Project by 2030.

The project is one of the frontrunners expected to deliver the country’s first kilowatt-hours of offshore wind power.

Apart from the Ilocos Norte project, Buhawind Energy is also advancing two other projects with a potential capacity of 1,000 megawatts each in northern Mindoro and Panay.