President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposal to explore and develop the country’s offshore wind potential as part of its efforts in ensuring energy security.
Marcos met the energy officials at a meeting in Malacanang had as directed them to proceed with offshore wind energy production initiatives, which include their suggestions to create an Offshore Wind Development and Investment Council which will be composed of relevant state agencies.
The said council will serve as a one-stop shop for offshore wind developers.
Marcos said that DOE should deal with offshore wind developers in consultation with the council.
DOE data said there are 42 approved offshore wind contracts with an indicated capacity of 31,000 megawatts (MW).
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said that this is more than enough to cover the “500,00 MW projected peak demand the country will require by 2040 based on DOE’s medium-to-long-term power outlook.”
In other developments, the DOE signed a memorandum of understanding with a Japanese and Australian firm to expedite research on hydrogen, the Office of the Press Secretary said. It has been said that hydrogen can be converted into ammonia, a primary component in the production of industrial fertilizers used in agriculture.
DOE is also coordinating with other government agencies in order to address the delays in the transmission line projects of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in order to free up power capacity for 2023.