The Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) looks to team up with a port developer to repurpose its 19.2-hectare property in Mabini, Batangas into an exclusive integrated port to support the growth of the country’s offshore wind industry.
In a report by the Philippine Star, PNOC president and CEO Oliver Butalid said that the investment for the planned project would need support from the private sector, adding that PNOC is eyeing a public-private partnership for it.
The port, despite its original purpose to support exploration companies, is currently being used as a commercial port.
PNOC said that part of its plan is to expand the port design and reclaim certain areas to be used as offloading areas for the large equipment required for offshore wind projects.
Butalid said that they have met with offshore wind players and noted that supply contracts will not be realized without a port to service the needs of the company developing the wind facilities.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has identified offshore wind as one of its top priorities in the RE sector. 77 service contracts have been awarded by DOE to local and international offshore wind developers.
Butalid said that PNOC’s Batangas port is strategically located to cater to the needs of the offshore wind industry.
Among the identified areas for offshore wind in the country include Northern Luzon, Verde Island Passage, Northern Mindoro, and Southern Mindoro.