By Tracy Cabrera
BGC, Taguig City — In the government’s push to develop renewable energy sources, the Department of Energy (DOE) has met with representatives from ten Norwegian energy companies to explore potential cooperation in offshore wind development, drawing on Norway’s decades of experience in the sector to help accelerate the Philippines’ emerging offshore wind industry.
The discussions, led by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, were held at the DOE headquarters in Bonifacio Global City. Present were Norwegian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Geir Michalsen, Norwegian Energy Partners (Norwep) Director for Renewable Energy Jon Dugstad, Project Manager Marianne Aronsen, and other officials and representatives from leading Norwegian offshore wind firms.
Also attending were DOE Undersecretaries Rowena Cristina Guevara and Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, along with Senior Trade Advisor Ana Florentino.
According to Garin, the talks focused on how Norwegian technology, engineering expertise, and decades of offshore development experience could support the Philippines in building a domestic offshore wind industry from the ground up.
The meeting comes as the Philippines continues to face energy security challenges following the declaration of a State of National Energy Emergency earlier this year amid global fuel supply disruptions and rising electricity demand.
“Despite having abundant renewable energy resources, we remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels. But with the prevailing energy crisis that disrupted supplies and pushed prices to almost unreachable heights, it necessitates us to find alternative sources of energy,” the energy chief said.
Based on official data, coal accounts for nearly 59 percent of the country’s electricity generation, while natural gas contributes about 18 percent. Renewable energy sources account for around 22 percent, with wind and solar combined contributing only about 3 to 4 percent.
“Yet we possess one of the largest offshore wind resources in Southeast Asia,” Garin noted.
DOE data and the World Bank Offshore Wind Roadmap estimate the Philippines has about 178 gigawatts (GW) of technical offshore wind potential, with some studies placing it above 200 GW. In contrast, the country currently has only around 440 megawatts of installed wind capacity, almost entirely onshore.
For Garin, offshore wind projects could eventually deliver power at a scale comparable to the country’s entire existing generation capacity. She said the discussions with the Norwegian delegation highlighted how international partnerships could help bridge the gap between vast renewable energy potential and actual energy production.
“As we seek to diversify our energy mix and reduce dependence on imported fuels, we view offshore wind not just as a climate solution, but as a strategic energy security asset,” the energy secretary stressed.
ia/xf
