The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is helping the Department of Energy (DOE) train a local workforce head of the anticipated boom in offshore wind (OSW) and other renewable energy (RE) projects in the country.
DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla in his keynote address at the program launch Tuesday said the capacity building is aligned with the “thrust to right-skill and up-skill Filipino workers to remain competitive and relevant in the global shift to alternative energy development and technological advances.”
Lotilla said the training design of the program focuses on the varying need for skills building by the different stakeholders, like government agencies, renewable energy developers, banks and financial institutions.
“Most importantly, we will conduct a competency mapping of skills in offshore wind energy, as well as reaffirm or update our skills for mature and emerging technologies such as hydro, biomass, solar and floating solar,” Lotilla said.
“The DOE will support the intricate and interwoven process of right-skilling and matching skills with opportunities. We will explore ways to support the energy sector through the potential birth pains of an evolving industry,” Lotilla added.
The Philippines targets a minimum 35 percent renewable energy share in the power generation mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
The total installed on-grid capacity from renewable energy sources as geothermal, hydro, biomass, solar and wind technologies aggregate 8,264 megawatts or 29.24 percent of the 28,258 MW installed capacity in the Philippines, excluding battery storage and diesel-battery hybrid systems.
Last year, the DOE launched the Philippine Offshore Wind roadmap when an estimated 178,000 MW worth of OSW capacity was identified.
Thus far, the DOE awarded 79 OSW contracts with the potential to generate 61,931 MW of capacity.
The DOE said baseline mapping of local competencies is fundamental in crafting the correct route to sustain proficiency that will ensure a steady flow of workers with world-class technological skills to support not only the country’s growing portfolio of emerging alternative energy sources but qualify for employment abroad as well.
