The Philippines offshore wind power can exceed the country’s total electricity demand, presenting a major development opportunity for renewable energy (RE), according to Atty. Richie Avigale Ramos-Pilares of the Developers of Renewable Energy for AdvanceMent (DREAM).

Speaking at the 3rd Renewable Energy Conference held on Aug 8 at the City of Dreams Manila, Ramos-Pilares cited a 2019 World Bank study that identified six development zones in the Philippine Offshore Wind Roadmap. She noted that potential capacity under a high-growth scenario could reach 20 gigawatts (GW) by 2040. Even under a low-growth scenario, capacity could reach 3 GW.

“The potential for offshore wind exceeds the need for electricity of the country,” Ramos-Pilares said, adding that interest from developers has surged, citing 92 offshore wind service contracts already awarded.

She said that offshore wind has attracted interest from both local and international investors due to recent policy reforms. Specifically, the removal of foreign ownership limits for solar, wind, and ocean energy projects based on a Department of Justice opinion. She explained that this reform encourages capital inflows and gives investors greater control over project development.

Ramos-Pilares, however, also cited the many challenges offshore wind is facing. These range from lengthy permitting processes involving multiple agencies, infrastructure gaps in ports and transmission lines, to the need for regulatory frameworks to keep pace with technological advances.

To address these issues, she said the Department of Energy is working on targeted auctions for offshore wind capacity, with the first scheduled for the third quarter of 2025. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to meet the DOE’s goal of increasing the RE share in the power mix to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

She added that the Philippines will need 52,826 megawatts (MW) of additional RE capacity by 2040, which is around seven times its current level, to meet demand growth and transition to cleaner energy sources.

“Offshore wind presents not just an environmental opportunity, but an economic one, with the potential to create jobs, attract billions in investment, and strengthen our energy security,” Ramos-Pilares concluded.

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