DOE: marine protected areas are ‘no-go zones’ for offshore wind

The Department of Energy (DOE) will ensure that marine protected areas (MPAs) are strictly designated as ‘no-go zones’ for offshore wind (OSW) project developments, including restrictions on their use as navigational channels.

In a report by Manila Bulletin, Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara stressed the importance of declaring protected zones, setting Taiwan as an example of the success of its implementation in the OSW sector. 

Guevara explained that in Taiwan, the Ministry of Environment has the authority to veto areas designated as no-go zones, a practice she suggests the Philippines should adopt in its offshore wind development.

Some offshore wind developers in the Philippines have already expressed concerns that portions of their service contracts (SCs) in the Batangas-Mindoro area may overlap with MPAs or navigation channels, particularly during the construction phase or for grid connection purposes.

However, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has yet to establish a specific policy on whether any awarded SCs will be canceled or if developers will need to abandon projects that encroach on sensitive marine habitats or disturb fish or bird sanctuaries.

In Taiwan, Danish engineering and consulting firm NIRAS pointed out that developers are often required to go beyond the standard environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) by submitting extra documentation to meet the financing requirements for offshore wind projects.

The planning of offshore wind projects in Taiwan is also meticulously organized, with developers informed early on about restricted zones. This proactive measure helps avoid the financial risks associated with conducting pre-development work in areas where projects are not permitted.

These additional documents may include biodiversity and ecosystem impact assessments, critical habitats assessments, biodiversity action plans, and fisheries livelihood and restoration plans, among others.

The Philippines aims to generate its first-megawatt output from offshore wind plants by 2028, and policy improvements are being made to avoid the mistakes encountered in other markets.