The Philippines has the potential to install 21GW of offshore wind power with the right long-term vision, infrastructure development, investment, and policies, according to a new roadmap.
The Philippines Offshore Wind Roadmap published by the country’s Department of Energy (DOE) and the World Bank Group (WBG) shows charts out the potential for developing a robust offshore wind industry in two potential scenarios.
The low growth scenario provides a roadmap for installing offshore wind at levels in line with the DOE’s national renewable energy programme.
The high growth scenario provides a roadmap for installing much higher levels that could be sufficient to drive competition, investments, and more cost reduction.
Analysis of the low growth scenario suggests that the Philippines has the potential to install 3GW of offshore wind by 2040, making up 3% of the country’s electricity supply.
Analysis of the high growth scenario shows the potential to install 21GW making up 21% of its electricity supply.
To achieve these scenarios, the roadmap provides guidance on actions that must be taken by the government.
This includes putting in place a long-term plan for offshore wind until 2050 as part of a decarbonised energy mix, and establishing offshore wind development zones through further marine spatial planning.
It also covers investment in transmission, port and other energy infrastructure upgrades; increasing collaboration with industry and other relevant government agencies.
DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said: “The Philippines has a rapidly growing demand for power.
“It is clear from this roadmap that offshore wind can play a major role in meeting our country’s energy demand indigenously, while also accelerating decarbonization.”
According to WB Energy practice manager for East Asia and Pacific Region Jie Tang, the Philippines has 178GW of technical offshore wind potential.
Tang said: “Our analysis of the high growth scenario suggests that offshore wind power could create thousands of jobs by 2040, as well as provide billions in local gross value added to the economy in the Philippines.”
World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand Ndiamé Diop said that with roadmap, the Philippines is taking its first step towards building an offshore wind industry and contribute to national energy security and the global efforts to mitigate climate change.
He said: “The Philippines’ waters have conditions that are well-suited to offshore wind.
“This abundant, indigenous energy resource offers an opportunity for the Philippines to boost energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase renewable energy supply.”
This Roadmap is one of a series of offshore wind roadmap studies commissioned by the WBG under the joint Energy Sector Management Assistance Program-International Finance Corporation (ESMAP-IFC) Offshore Wind Development Program.
Funding for this study was provided by the ESMAP.
The roadmap has been prepared with the consultation of more than 150 stakeholders from a wide range of public and private representatives from across the global offshore wind industry.