Wind projects need upgrades

Before finally pushing for the full-on development of offshore wind or OSW power, local energy companies need to initiate upskilling for workers to keep up with global standards.

Thus, the Department of Energy or DoE, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development or USAID, said it will launch a series of workshops for workers to improve their skills.

The DoE said baseline mapping of local competencies will help craft the correct route to sustain the proficiency required in a growing portfolio of emerging alternative energy sources.

"(There is a) thrust to right-skill and upskill Filipino workers to remain competitive and relevant in the global shift to alternative energy development and technological advances," Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said on Wednesday.

"Most importantly, we will conduct a competency mapping of skills in offshore wind energy, as well as reaffirm or update our skills for mature and emerging technologies such as hydro, biomass, solar, and floating solar," Lotilla added.

Indigenous best option

The DoE has been pushing for the development of OSW to ramp up local indigenous supply amid growing demand.

Based on the Philippines OSW Roadmap launched in 2022, the country has about 178 gigawatts or GW of OSW potential.

Despite the vast supply available nationwide, the OSW roadmap revealed the tedious permitting process and grid assets availability as areas that need immediate resolution.

As such, the DoE vowed to enhance the policies on the OSW development, taking into account the streamlining and stricter timeframe outlined in the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop law on the processing and issuance of licenses and permits by the concerned national and local government entities.

To date, the DoE has awarded a total of 79 OSW Contracts with a total potential capacity of 61.931 GW, spread mainly North of Luzon, West of Metro Manila, North and South of Mindoro, Panay and Guimaras Strait.