‘Philippines to be offshore wind powerhouse in Southeast Asia’

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October 29, 2026 | 12:00am

SINGAPORE – The Philippines is not only pursuing its first kilowatt-hours of offshore wind but also positioning itself as a regional leader in advancing the technology across Southeast Asia.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the country has “one of the biggest potentials” for offshore wind development in the region, with the government pushing for over three gigawatts (GW) of capacity into commercial operations.

“In fact, we can be the center of excellence for offshore wind,” Garin said on the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week organized by the Energy Market Authority.

The Philippines is auctioning 3,300 megawatts of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity, with projects targeted for delivery between 2028 and 2030.

The planned capacity would support the broader push to increase the share of renewables in the country’s power mix while laying the groundwork for stronger regional partnerships.

According to the World Bank Group, the Philippines is estimated to have more than 178 GW of technical offshore wind potential.

Apart from meeting domestic energy needs, Garin said offshore wind could also open opportunities for the Philippines to supply surplus electricity to neighboring countries through the interconnected grids.

The Philippines, she said, could also become an offshore wind hub, attracting companies to set up operations locally and manufacture components for the technology.

But realizing this ambition would “take time” as offshore wind is a complex industry that requires the right systems, infrastructure and supporting capabilities to be in place before it can scale up, Garin stressed.

“We have to make sure that the grid, infrastructure, ports and communities are ready as well,” the energy chief said.

The Philippine Ports Authority is expected to break ground next month on the Pambujan Port in Camarines Norte, a priority infrastructure project for the country’s offshore wind ambitions.

Another facility in the pipeline is the Santa Clara Port in Batangas. Both ports are intended to support the installation, commissioning and eventual operation of offshore wind projects.

The infrastructure requirement has complicated the country’s landmark offshore wind auction, pushing it beyond its original 2025 timeline.

And the auction could face another delay, with the awarding of winning bidders potentially pushed to early 2027, according to Garin.