The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), at the urging of the Department of Energy, has started the engineering design and other plans needed to repurpose priority ports into units capable of handling offshore wind energy projects.
The partners said the repurposed facilities include the Port of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, the Port of Batangas in Sta. Clara, Batangas City and the Port of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte. All are proximate to high-potential offshore wind energy service contract (OWESC) areas.
The DOE said the project will further increase the country’s renewable energy capacity and position it as a leader in offshore wind (OSW) development in the region.
According to the agency, the Port of Currimao is positioned near 13 OWESCs and can potentially support 9,489 megawatts of projects. Already, three service contracts are in the advanced pre-development stage.
The Port of Batangas is also located close to 29 OWESCs with a combined potential of 24,300 MW. Six of the projects are in the advanced stages of pre-development, including permitting, licensing and data gathering.
As for the Port of Jose Panganiban, the facility is near 14 OWESCs with a potential of 8,150 MW. Two of the projects are in the advanced pre-development phase.
Jay Santiago, PPA general manager, told the DOE they will undertake the feasibility study and infrastructure development of the identified ports.
DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla noted the ports will serve as vital logistical hubs throughout the life of the OSW projects from its installation to commissioning and eventual decommissioning.
Lotilla said upgrading the facilities ensures that the Philippines is ready to accommodate the increasing demand for OSW projects expected to deliver significant contributions to the country’s energy security and economic stability.
“By modernizing these strategic ports, we are not only addressing the immediate needs of OSW development but also laying the foundation for long-term job creation and sustained growth in the renewable energy sector,” Lotilla said.
As of mid-August this year, the DOE has awarded 92 OSW contracts with capacity to generate 66,101 MW.
Of the 92 contracts, four were awarded to 100 percent foreign owned companies.
All OWESC projects are in the pre-development stage.
The Philippine potential for OSW power generation is estimated at 178,000 MW.
