BuhaWind’s 4,000-MW offshore wind projects get priority status

BuhaWind Energy Philippines is developing three projects off Ilocos Norte, Mindoro and Panay. (Photo from BuhaWind Energy Philippines website)

MANILA, Philippines — BuhaWind Energy Philippines said Wednesday its offshore wind projects with a capacity of 4,000 megawatts (MW) secured priority status from the government.

BuhaWind is a joint venture between Copenhagen Energy of Denmark and local firm PetroGreen Energy Corp.

In a disclosure, PetroEnergy Resources Corp. said the Department of Energy (DOE) has certified three developments as an “energy project of national significance” (EPNS).

These include the 2,000-MW Northern Luzon offshore wind project and 1,000-MW Northern Mindoro project. The third one is the 1,000-MW East Panay project.

“[These] should expedite the processing of all other permits, especially for our priority Northern Luzon offshore wind project, by other government agencies,” said Louie Mark Limcolioc. He is corporate and legal affairs head at BuhaWind Energy Northern Luzon Corp.

With EPNS certification, developers can expect priority in the approval of permits. The projects identified are crucial in the country’s development.

They can also apply for the necessary permits from multiple agencies simultaneously.

The Northern Luzon wind development is eyed to start commercial operations by mid-2030.

The Northern Mindoro and East Panay projects, meanwhile, may be up and running by 2031 and 2033, respectively.

Focused on offshore wind

By the third quarter of 2025, the DOE plans to conduct its fifth round of green power bidding. This will focus on offshore wind. 

These auctions are meant to complement the current administration’s efforts to entice investors to expand to renewables. It aims to grow clean energy’s share in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030. Currently, renewables account for 22 percent.

A total of eight developers had committed to build offshore wind projects for the Philippines, the DOE earlier said. 

The expected project sites include Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Bataan, Cavite, Ilocos Norte, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte. Also included are Quezon, Cagayan, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, La Union, Northern Samar and Antique.

However, the Global Wind Energy Council said that the government must address issues on infrastructure, capital, and the supply chain.