The Department of Energy announced yesterday 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 will fund the Philippine offshore wind roadmap project.
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 that 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 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
