BuhaWind Energy Secures Key Government Approvals for Northern Luzon Offshore Wind Project

BuhaWind Energy Northern Luzon Corp. (BENLC),  is a joint venture between PetroGreen Energy Corporation (PGEC) and Copenhagen Energy Group (CE), has received two significant government endorsements that are expected to hasten the development of its approximately 2-gigawatt offshore wind project off the coast of Ilocos Norte.

On April 29, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) awarded the project a Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS), a designation granted only to energy developments with significant capital investment and national strategic value. Alongside the Northern Luzon site, the CEPNS was also awarded to two other BuhaWind Energy offshore wind projects: the 1,000 MW Northern Mindoro and the ~1,000 MW East Panay developments.

Projects with CEPNS are those validated by the DOE with potential to improve energy security and provide wider economic, environmental, and technological benefits to the country. It also grants the holder priority and streamlined processing of permits across various national and local government agencies, including that of government-owned and controlled corporations.

“We welcome the DOE CEPNS award for our offshore wind ventures with CE which should expedite the processing of all other permits, especially for our priority Northern Luzon offshore wind project, by other government agencies,” said Louie Mark R. Limcolioc, BENLC Corporate and Legal Affairs Head. “As stipulated in DOE’s Department Order 2024-04-0003, a government agency, whose approval is needed by an offshore wind investor, should act on the presumption that a CEPNS holder has been granted approval by other government agencies and not delay its own approval.”

The day prior, on April 28, BENLC also received a Certificate of Registration from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) as an accredited importer. The registration permits the company to import machinery, tools, and equipment required during the pre-development, construction, and operations phases of its offshore wind projects. Initially valid for one year, the certificate is renewable on an annual basis.

The two approvals mark major progress for the BuhaWind platform, as it prepares to develop numerous  large-scale offshore wind projects critical to supporting the Philippines’ renewable energy goals.

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