Philippines offshore wind auction to boost development and investor confidence

Peter Jang, energy and infrastructure projects expert at Pinsent Masons, was commenting following the announcement of the landmark initiative, part of the country’s fifth Green Energy Auction Program (GEA-5).

“The move signals a bold step towards harnessing the vast renewable energy potential of the archipelago and attracting significant foreign investment,” said Jang.

The GEA-5 will include offshore wind capacity for the first time in the Philippines, alongside solar, onshore wind, and other renewable energy technologies. The auction is expected to offer up five gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity, with projects targeted for commercial operation between 2028 and 2030. The DOE has published detailed terms of reference, including eligibility criteria, bid evaluation procedures, and post-award obligations, aimed at ensuring transparency and competitiveness.

The auction is limited to fixed-bottom offshore wind projects and is designed to attract both domestic and international developers to tap into the Philippines’ offshore wind resources.

According to the draft notice of auction, the auction process will follow a structured timeline. Registration of qualified suppliers has already begun, following the release of the terms of reference last month. A pre-bid conference is set to take place in order to clarify auction rules and requirements, but an exact date has not yet been set. The action is scheduled for 16 August with notice of awards to be issued following bid evaluation and selection.

To support the rollout of offshore wind, the government has identified three strategic ports for development and logistics support: Port of Currimao in llocos Norte; Port of Batangas in Sta. Clara, Batangas City; and Port of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte. These ports are expected to play a critical role in the construction, assembly and maintenance of offshore wind infrastructure, aiming to help reduce costs and improve project timelines.

If successful, GEA-5 is expected to unlock billions of dollars in investment, create thousands of green jobs, and position the Philippines as a regional leader in offshore wind.

This move follows the DOE’s earlier publication of the Green Energy Auction Program framework, which seeks to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects through competitive bidding. The programme is aligned with the Philippines’ goal of achieving 35% renewable energy share in the power generation mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040.