EO on offshore wind power inked

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order to ramp up the issuance of permits for offshore wind (OSW) power projects as the government eyes boosting the use of renewable energy in the country.

Under Executive Order (EO) No. 21, the President said Republic Act No. 9513, or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, said the government should accelerate the exploration and development of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and ocean.

President Marcos said the Philippine Offshore Wind Roadmap has identified a total technical potential capacity of 178 gigawatts that could be harnessed from OSW resources.

“OSW, if optimally developed, will play a major role in our country’s goal for a low-carbon future, improved energy security, and reduced dependence on import fuels,” the EO read.

The EO would streamline and expedite the approval process by the permitting agencies for the issuance of permits, licenses, and clearances for OSW projects and “eliminate unnecessary delays in every stage of an OSW project.”

The EO defined permitting agencies as government agencies or relevant entities that are concessionaires or franchisees of the government which permitting process or authority is relevant.

The President also said that within 60 days from the issuance of the EO, the Department of Energy (DOE) should formulate and issue a policy and administrative framework “for the efficient and optimal

development of the country’s OSW resources, which shall be made applicable to all permitting agencies.”