THE Department of Energy (DoE) has unveiled a guidebook that will serve as a roadmap to help developers and government agencies navigate several permits required to put up an offshore wind project in the Philippines.
While the country holds a vast offshore wind potential, the permitting process remains a challenge for investors and developers.
“This guidebook is a game-changer,” Energy Officer-in-Charge Sharon S. Garin said in a statement on Monday. “It transforms a complicated process into one that is streamlined, more transparent, and easier to follow for both government and investors.”
The agency said that the guidebook outlines the full project cycle, from early site assessments and feasibility studies to construction, operation, and decommissioning.
Each step is matched with the appropriate regulatory requirements and timelines, allowing for better coordination and predictability.
The guidebook also highlights the roles of agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Maritime Industry Authority, Department of Transportation, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.
With the launch of the guidebook, the DoE expects the compendium to reduce processing times, cut red tape, and improve investor confidence, all while “ensuring that social and ecological protections remain in place.”
“We fast-track processes, but never at the expense of environmental and community safeguards. The compendium ensures that good governance and clean energy go hand-in-hand,” said Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara. – Sheldeen Joy Talavera
