Philippines’ new roadmap targets 40GW offshore wind by 2050

This could make up 45 % of its electricity supply.

The Philippines’ Department of Energy and the World Bank Group (WBG) has launched a new roadmap that seeks to tap into the country’s 40-gigawatt potential in offshore wind.

The Philippines Offshore Wind Roadmap outlined the state actions that need to be taken in partnership with stakeholders to achieve the 2050 plan, such as the establishment of offshore wind development zones.

The roadmap projected that in a low growth scenario the Philippines could install 6GW of offshore wind by 2050; whilst this could go as high as 40GW over the same period, under the high growth scenario.

“The Philippines has a rapidly growing demand for power,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

“It is clear from this roadmap that offshore wind can play a major role in meeting our country’s energy demand indigenously, while also accelerating decarbonization.” 

The roadmap also covered the guidelines on investment in transmission, and port and other energy infrastructure upgrades.

According to World Bank Energy Practice Manager of East Asia and Pacific Region Jie Tang, the World Bank’s high growth projection could generate thousands of jobs by 2040 and provide some $30b in cumulative net benefit back to consumers by 2050.

“The Philippines’ waters have conditions that are well-suited to offshore wind,” Ndiamé Diop, the World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand, said.

“This abundant, indigenous energy resource offers an opportunity for the Philippines to boost energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase renewable energy supply.” 

The roadmap forms part of a series of offshore wind roadmap studies commissioned by the WBG under the joint Energy Sector Management Assistance Program-International Finance Corporation Offshore Wind Development Program.