The Department of Energy (DOE) and the British Embassy in Manila have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) that sets the framework for deeper technical cooperation on offshore wind and microgrid development, a move that could shape how future projects under the government’s clean energy pipeline are evaluated and implemented.

Signed on December 16, the LOI brings the DOE and the Government of the United Kingdom into collaboration under the UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK-PACT) Philippines Country Fund, aligning with the 2025 UK–Philippines Joint Framework for the Enhanced Partnership.

“This LOI reinforces our shared commitment to practical, outcomes-driven climate cooperation where technical rigor, transparent processes, and stronger institutional capacity translate into deliverable projects on the ground,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said. She added that improving the governance frameworks for offshore wind and microgrids would help accelerate cleaner and more reliable power development while protecting public interest and long-term energy security.

At the core of the agreement are three technical assistance projects focused on implementation readiness and governance quality for offshore wind (OSW) and microgrids.

The first project will support the DOE in developing an evaluation framework for infrastructure plans submitted by developers under the fifth round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-5) for offshore wind. The framework will assess feasibility, sequencing, and key milestones, and define documentation standards and criteria aimed at strengthening transparency and bankability in auction outcomes. The DOE said this is meant to ensure that awarded capacities translate into projects that can be executed responsibly and on schedule.

The second project targets microgrid planning, particularly for priority sites identified by the DOE. It will establish a comprehensive data collection framework to support evidence-based decisions under the Competitive Selection Process for Microgrid System Providers (CSP-MGSP). According to the DOE, stronger and more reliable site-level data is critical to disciplined procurement and to delivering sustainable microgrid solutions for geographically isolated and underserved areas.

The third workstream will focus on technical validation and peer review of the initial results of the country’s marine spatial planning (MSP) process for offshore wind. This includes reviewing methodologies, integrating multi-stakeholder inputs, and building the capacity of agencies such as the DOE and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to apply an enhanced MSP tool in siting and planning decisions. The DOE said more robust MSP processes can improve transparency, coordination across agencies, and investor confidence in offshore wind development.

“These workstreams will help the DOE sharpen implementation discipline — from clearer documentation standards and review criteria for OSW auction to better site data that supports transparent, competitive microgrid procurement,” DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said. “The objective is straightforward: improve readiness and confidence so that commitments convert into timely, reliable projects on the ground.”

Support under the UK-PACT Philippines Country Fund will run until March 2027 and will include workshops and training sessions for government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen technical capability and ensure consistent application of the tools and frameworks developed under the program.

How will stronger evaluation frameworks and planning tools influence investor confidence and project delivery timelines for offshore wind and microgrids in the Philippines?

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