A global report funded by the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and Tara Climate Foundation identified three high-potential offshore wind (OSW) development zones in the Philippines.
These include areas near Manila Bay, Tayabas Bay in Quezon province and Guimaras Island in Panay.
The RMI (founded as Rocky Mountain Institute), in partnership with Southeast Asia Clean Energy Facility (SEACEF), released the report analyzing the three high potential areas to accelerate OSW development.
“Few offshore wind projects are in the development pipeline and expected to be completed by the end of the decade. To build momentum in the market’s first movers, this report studies offshore wind development areas that show promise for the country’s first offshore wind projects [i.e., operational by 2035] and the country’s next wave of offshore wind development,” it said.
The report said Manila Bay and Tayabas Bay have the potential for near-term (operational by 2035) OSW development, with wind farms using fixed foundation turbines and wind energy service contract (WESC) leases of less than 300 MW.
It said the water surrounding Guimaras province is recommended for near-term development for fixed foundation turbines.
The report said available WESCs in the area have economies of scale with 600 MW or higher capacities.
“These zones were chosen for their high wind speeds of greater than 7 meters per second, proximity to major load centers in southern Luzon and western Visayas, areas with relatively shallow water depths [less 50 meters] that allow for fixed foundation WTG designs for the market’s first projects, and access to deeper areas for floating offshore wind farms,” it said.
RMI Southeast Asia Energy Program regional director Wini Rizkiningayu said that to keep pace with its economic growth and energy security, Southeast Asian countries need to rapidly develop renewable energy, of which wind power has huge room for development.
“This report explores potential offshore wind power areas for development in the Philippines and identifies specific challenges potentially preventing market readiness for large-scale offshore wind projects,” said Rizkiningayu.
“Floating offshore wind is the next frontier for the clean energy sector. Not only will it offer the prospect of generating numerous highly skilled job opportunities for Filipinos, but it also lays the groundwork for the development of new local industries,” he said.
It assessed the progress made in OSW wind bankability and identifies key barriers for further advancement in the sector.