Buhawind Energy Northern Luzon Corp. (BENLC) on Tuesday announced it has secured facilities study approval from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) for its 2,000-megawatt Northern Luzon Offshore Wind Power Project.
Yuchengco-led PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC), the renewable energy holding firm of publicly listed PetroEnergy Resources Corp., formed BENLC with Danish renewable energy firm Copenhagen Energy.
PGEC vice president for technical operations Paul Elmer Morala thanked NGCP for the approval of the study, which was filed in June following NGCP’s approval of the amended system impact study in April 2025.
“NGCP’s meticulous study and evaluation of the grid connection requirements put BENLC in a stronger position to design and deliver power infrastructure that not only meets the highest technical standards but also contributes meaningfully to the Department of Energy’s agenda,” Morala said.
The facilities study, approved on July 24, outlines the technical requirements for integrating the project into the national grid, including specifications for substation components and control systems.
The Northern Luzon Offshore Wind Power Project, which involves installing 15 MW to 20 MW wind turbines off the coast of Burgos, Bangui, and Pagudpud, is expected to be operational by 2028 to 2030. The project is one of the most advanced offshore wind developments in the Philippines and is projected to create an estimated 24,000 jobs during its construction and operational phases.
NGCP’s planned 500 kV Burgos Substation is the designated connection point for the project, and its completion is a key prerequisite for the project’s energization.
“BENLC looks forward to similar skillful efforts and thorough assessment by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on the development of Port Currimao for offshore wind operations not just for BENLC but also for ten other offshore wind service projects in northern Philippines that can potentially use Port Currimao in the near future,” Morala said.
BENLC has also begun networking with government agencies and academic institutions to develop a skilled offshore wind workforce in the Ilocos region. On June 11, PGEC and officials from Mariano Marcos State University met to explore local workforce development. The parties identified skills gap mapping, upskilling trainings, and possible cross-enrollment programs between the university and BENLC’s partner school, Mapúa University.
PGEC and Copenhagen Energy have also announced the joint development of offshore wind projects with a total combined capacity of 4,000 MW. These include projects in Northern Mindoro (1,000 MW) and East Panay (500 MW to 1,000 MW).
