DOE launches offshore wind roadmap project
MANILA – The Department of Energy (DOE) has partnered with the World Bank Group (WBG) to craft a roadmap to harness the country’s offshore wind energy as a potential source of clean power.
On Tuesday, t he agency announced that the World Bank Group’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program 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,” the statement said.
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.
According to WBG Offshore Wind Development Program co- lead Mark Leybourne during the launching of the project on June 21, the country has over 170 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind potential.
For DOE secretary Alfonso Cusi, 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,” he added.
Broadening the offshore wind prospects will help to accelerate the country’s goal of achieving a 35- percent share of renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030, the secretary stressed.
DOE has also awarded five wind energy service contracts with a combined potential capacity of five 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.(