UK host offshore wind strategic learning visit for Philippine delegation
The United Kingdom (UK)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Foreign, Commonwealth,
and Development Office (FCDO) of the British Embassy Manila hosted a Philippine
delegation led by the Department of Energy Philippines (DOE Philippines)
for an offshore wind (OSW) focused strategic learning visit in the UK from
13 to 17 February 2023.
The visit allowed the delegation to meet relevant UK regulators and industry
stakeholders for knowledge sharing of best practices, regulatory framework,
and industry development, and opened-up potential opportunities for UK-Philippines
collaboration in offshore wind. Technical discussions on stages in an offshore
wind project lifecycle were covered, including Consenting, Contract for
Difference (CfD), Marine Spatial Planning & Leasing, Permitting &
Licensing, Grid Development, Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO), Financing
& Bankability and Industry & Supply Chain Development.
The UK companies also gathered for a roundtable discussion on the lessons
learned and experience in support of the Philippine Government's goal to
develop a competitive OSW industry from concept to implementation.
Through the DBT, the Philippine delegation visited the Offshore Renewable
Energy (ORE) Catapult Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence (FOW
CoE) in Blyth, Newcastle and AIS Survivex, and ORE Catapult’s O&M
Center of Excellence in Port of Grimsby. The ORE Catapult FOW CoE was established
in an effort to drive innovation and accelerate the build-out of floating
offshore wind farms, create opportunities for the UK supply chain, and
spur growth in manufacturing, installation and O&M. AIS Survivex, is
one of the UK's largest renewable energy training centre and was established
to expand the capabilities in the sector.
The Philippine delegation consisted of DOE Philippines, Energy Regulatory
Commission (ERC), National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Maritime Industry Authority
(MARINA), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA),
Bureau of Customs PH (BOC), Board of Investments (BOI), Philippine Coast
Guard (PCG) and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
"The various
agencies agreed on action items to enable the country to reach its full
potential in offshore wind energy," said DOE Philippines.
Under the National
Renewable Energy Program 2020-2040, the Philippines set a target of 35%
share of renewable energy (RE) in the generation mix by 2030 and 50% by
2040. The DOE Philippines stated it has so far awarded 55 offshore wind
service contracts with an aggregate capacity of 40.68 GW, or almost twice
the dependable generation capacity in the country and is currently in the
process of amending the policies and guidelines for the OSW development.
