The Department of Energy alongside the Department of Transportation and its attached maritime agencies, started the first steps in evaluating port requirements of Buhawind Energy for the development of 2,000 megawatts (MW) worth of offshore wind power projects in Ilocos Norte.
Other agencies included in the initial high level ports evaluation last Friday are the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority.
The meeting outlined additional works, improvements and costs needed to make candidate ports in Ilocos Norte suitable for offshore wind power development and operations with the PPA specifically tasked to validate initial findings in order to make the facility ready by around 2026.
Buhawind Energy said the investment will benefit not only specific offshore wind power projects but also other non-energy related businesses such as fishing, cargo and passenger shipping, cruise tourism, storage and supply chain.
The company added that it also enables the potential of an economic zone development around the ports for industrial and commercial activities powered by renewable energy.
Buhawind Energy is a joint venture between PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC) and the Copenhagen Energy of Denmark.
Other RE projects operated by PGEC include the 32 MW Maibarara geothermal power plant in Batangas, 36 MW Nabas wind project with up to 14 MW planned expansion in Nabas and Malay, Aklan and the 70 MW Tarlac solar project.
Recently, PGEC also launched its Dagohoy solar project in Bohol which will increase its total solar operating units to 100 MW.
