Local renewable energy (RE) firm CleanTech Global Renewables and Singapore-based The Blue Circle will be developing a 1.2-gigawatt (GW) offshore wind project in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro.
The two companies have signed their first wind energy service contract for the project that will consist of 100 12-megawatt turbines, which would be the country’s largest offshore wind farm with an area of 40,095 hectares.
Based on the Global Wind Atlas, the coastal waters of Bulalacao have among the highest wind speeds in the country at around ten meters per second.
“After spending many years developing onshore wind projects in the Philippines, I am very excited by the promising Bulalacao offshore potential. This site is ideally situated outside of major environmental constraints, away from the direct typhoon hit zone and with high winds in shallow to medium depth waters,” The Blue Circle CEO Olivier Duguet said in a statement.
Under the National Renewable Energy Program 2020-2040, the country is looking to get 35% of its power generation mix from RE come 2030 and 50% by 2040. Based on the Clean Energy Scenario, the country would need to add at least 92GW to its energy mix to achieve the target.
“The Bulalacao offshore project will incur a limited environmental footprint in a very favorable landscape for wind power potential. The project will be of a significant size for both floating and bottom fixed wind turbines. I am enthusiastic and eager to build this major stepping stone towards our country’s sustainable development and energy independence,” Cleantech CEO Engr. Salvador “Aboy” Castro.
Cleantech currently has at least three solar projects under its portfolio, including one in Lal-lo, Cagayan – a joint venture with Ayala-led ACEN. The Blue Circle was also ACEN’s partner for the Mui Ne wind farm in Vietnam, which began commercial operations in November 2021.
