The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) expects the redevelopment of Sta. Clara port in Batangas and Mercedes port in Camarines Norte to be completed by 2026, positioning them as potential hubs for the country’s growing offshore wind (OSW) sector, Port Calls reports.

PPA assistant general manager Mark Jon Palomar said the Sta. Clara port, a public-private partnership project, will be bidded out in October or November this year and is slated to begin construction in 2026. Mercedes port will also be redeveloped to replace Jose Panganiban port, which was deemed unsuitable for OSW projects because its soil was considered “too soft” and would require heavy investment to meet standards.

The Mercedes project will proceed in two phases, each estimated to cost P2.4 billion, and will be fully financed by PPA. Palomar noted that Sta. Clara’s redevelopment cost may be lower since it will not require berth extension.

Meanwhile, the planned redevelopment of Currimao port in Ilocos Norte, also one of the three original sites identified for OSW, has been shelved due to its P26-billion price tag.

PPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) had earlier announced that three priority ports, Sta. Clara, Jose Panganiban, and Currimao, would be repurposed to support offshore wind projects. These ports were selected for their proximity to areas covered by Offshore Wind Energy Service Contracts (OWESCs).

There are 92 OWESCs awarded as of June, according to the DOE, representing more than 65 gigawatts in capacity.

Former Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla emphasized the importance of such facilities, saying the ports will serve as “vital logistical hubs throughout the lifecycle of offshore wind projects—from installation to commissioning and decommissioning.”

PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago previously noted that OSW projects require between 23 and 25 hectares of terminal space, while most PPA ports only span two to five hectares, making expansion very necessary. He added that PPA will rely on the private sector under a turnkey basis, with payments to begin a year after terminal turnover, interest-free, and settled quarterly within five years.

What role do you think port readiness will play in accelerating the Philippines’ offshore wind development and meeting its renewable energy targets?

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