Government fast-tracks offshore wind development

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have strengthened their tie-up to accelerate offshore wind development in the country.

The two agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last Friday to fast-track the exploration, utilization and construction of offshore wind projects while ensuring environmental safeguards.

Before exploration and development, the existing framework requires renewable energy projects to secure a maze of clearances from the DENR, including agreements for foreshore leases, forest land use and miscellaneous leases.

With this MOA, however, offshore wind energy service contracts now grant sufficient authority to move forward with the offshore wind projects without the need for additional agreements.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the partnership is a crucial step to achieve the target of delivering the first kilowatt-hours from offshore wind projects within the term of President Marcos.

“By streamlining the process for accessing critical areas, we are paving the way for a rapid and responsible rollout of offshore wind projects, which will contribute significantly to our clean energy transition,” Lotilla said.

Within thirty days of the execution of this agreement, the DOE is expected to provide the DENR with the list of identified offshore wind projects that will be regularly updated to reflect new service contracts and development activities.

If an area is designated as an environmentally critical one or is subject to prior vested rights, the DENR may implement additional conditions or deny access altogether.

The DOE expects this MOA to position the Philippines as a prime market for offshore wind development, driving investment to fuel the country’s energy transition.

“The department is also committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that offshore wind projects are developed responsibly and sustainably, contributing to a cleaner, more secure and resilient energy future for the Philippines,” it noted.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the government wants to expand the share of renewables in the power generation mix by 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.