Norway expertise could unlock PH’s 178 GW wind potential
Ten Norwegian energy companies met with top Philippine energy officials in Manila earlier this week to explore how Norway’s decades of offshore wind experience can help the Philippines accelerate the development of a sector seen as critical to the country’s long-term energy security.
The discussions, held at the Department of Energy (DOE), brought together Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, Undersecretaries Rowena Cristina Guevara and Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, and representatives of leading Norwegian offshore wind companies. The talks focused on how Norwegian technology, engineering expertise, and lessons from decades of offshore development can support the Philippines as it seeks to build an offshore wind industry from the ground up.
The meeting comes as the Philippines continues to grapple with energy security concerns following the declaration of a State of National Energy Emergency earlier this year amid global fuel market disruptions and rising power demand. Despite having abundant renewable energy resources, the country remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, with coal accounting for nearly 59 percent of electricity generation and natural gas contributing about 18 percent. Renewable energy sources provide only around 22 percent of total generation, while wind and solar combined contribute just 3 to 4 percent.
Yet the Philippines possesses one of the largest offshore wind resources in Southeast Asia.
According to the DOE and World Bank Offshore Wind Roadmap, the country has an estimated 178 gigawatts (GW) of technical offshore wind potential, with some studies placing the figure at more than 200 GW. By comparison, the Philippines currently has only about 440 megawatts of installed wind capacity, almost entirely onshore.
During discussions on the infrastructure, regulatory, and supply chain requirements needed to move projects from planning to construction, participants noted that while the opportunity is enormous, but so is the challenge.
The Norwegian delegation later joined more than 200 representatives from government, industry, finance, and the energy supply chain at a seminar titled Accelerating Offshore Wind in the Philippines: Policy, Innovation, and Supply Chain Readiness held at the Asian Development Bank headquarters as part of the Asia Clean Energy Forum.
Organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila, Norwegian Energy Partners (Norwep), the DOE, the Global Wind Energy Council, and the Global Offshore Wind Alliance, the event examined policy frameworks, grid readiness, port infrastructure, logistics, safety standards, certification, and workforce development needed to support large-scale offshore wind projects.
The seminar also facilitated dialogue between government officials and private developers, including Copenhagen Offshore Partners, Triconti ECC Renewables, Nexif Ratch Energy, and ACEN, on how to accelerate project implementation.
Norway’s participation reflects its growing role as a global offshore wind leader. Leveraging expertise developed through decades of offshore petroleum and maritime operations, Norway pioneered the world’s first full-scale floating wind turbine in 2009 and the world’s first floating wind farm, Hywind Scotland, which began operations in 2017.
Today, Norway operates more than 5 GW of wind power capacity and generates roughly 98 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, primarily hydropower and wind. The country is widely recognized for its expertise in floating wind technology, offshore installation, subsea engineering, grid integration, and operations in challenging marine environments.
The delegation included DNV, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, Fred. Olsen 1848, Glamox, the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Reach Subsea, Øglænd System Group, and Jorn Energy Corporation.
For the Philippines, where offshore wind projects could eventually provide power at a scale comparable to the country’s entire existing generation fleet, the discussions highlighted how international partnerships may help bridge the gap between vast renewable energy potential and actual energy production.
As the country seeks to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependence on imported fuels, offshore wind is increasingly being viewed not just as a climate solution, but as a strategic energy security asset. Veronica Uy
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