The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is set to transform three Luzon ports into offshore wind terminals by 2028, with investments projected at PHP 47 billion, in line with government targets to deliver the country’s first offshore wind power within the Marcos administration, the Philippine Star reports.

The Port of Mercedes in Camarines Norte will be the first site to undergo conversion. PPA general manager Jay Santiago said the project will be rolled out in two phases, each costing about P2.4 billion, with completion of the first phase targeted by 2026.

“We intend to bid that out before the end of the year, so that we will be able to beat the end-2026 deadline for the first phase. The DOE (Department of Energy) will have enough time to generate the first kilowatt by the first quarter of 2028,” Santiago said.

In Batangas, the PPA is finalizing a PHP 14-billion port management terminal contract (PTMC) to convert a 27-hectare property beside the Batangas Container Terminal into an offshore wind site.

For the Port of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, however, the agency faces funding challenges as consultants estimated costs at PHP 28 billion. Santiago noted, “Based on initial discussions, Currimao could require a development cost of P28 billion. We are still thinking if it would be done by procurement or PTMC. If procurement, the PPA cannot fund that, and if PTMC, I don’t know if there are takers.”

Originally, the PPA studied the conversion of 10 ports but scrapped the plan due to cost and technical constraints. Offshore wind terminals demand specialized handling for turbines, which cannot be accommodated by conventional port capacity limits.

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon supported the decision to redevelop the Port of Mercedes, noting it was a non-functioning asset, but underscored the need for a revenue model. “It is nonetheless important for the PPA to be able to charge port usage fees from the wind farm operators, which we are expecting must be far greater than revenue from typical port operations,” he said.

The DOE in June launched its fifth green energy auction for 3,300 megawatts of offshore wind projects for delivery between 2028 and 2030, aligning with the PPA’s infrastructure push.

What do you think—can port conversions unlock the country’s offshore wind potential fast enough to meet 2028 targets?

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