The Department of Energy on Thursday released the implementing guidelines on Executive Order No. 21 which establishes the policy and administrative framework for offshore wind development.
Under the guidelines, permitting agencies are guided by the different stages of an OSW development project and the activities necessary for its successful and efficient implementation.
The DOE said permitting agencies need to identify and submit the complete list of appropriate permits and clearances. These include all requirements, fees and procedures, including the detailed process flow diagram on or before June 18, 2023.
The DOE will then integrate into the Energy Virtual OneStop Shop system all the identified processes, which will be used by all permitting agencies, including the local government units, in processing the applications for permits from OSW developers.
These permitting agencies include the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Justice , Department of Labor and Employment, Department of National Defense, Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Trade and Industry.
Other agencies are Department of Transportation, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Quarantine, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, National Power Corp., National Transmission Corp., Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. and concerned local government units.
EO 21 was issued to hasten the rollout of OSW projects by mandating a policy and administrative framework for the optimal development of OSW resource through a clear and streamlined process and timelines that eliminate red tape, facilitate efficient permitting process and promote greater investment in OSW projects.
This, in return, would accelerate the renewable energy capacity in the country to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040 from 22 percent.
The Philippines Offshore Wind Roadmap launched last year showed a potential OSW resource of 178,000 megawatts.
The DOE has awarded 65 OSW contracts with a total potential capacity of 51,228 MW, enough to supply the country’s future electricity demand.
OSWs are situated in bodies of water that are said to have stronger wind potential than onshore wind projects.