Offshore wind developers asked to disclose plans for infrastructure

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is asking offshore wind farm developers to submit their infrastructure plans to improve government planning in the runup to 2028, when the wind farms are expected to first start feeding power into the grid.

“Developers are encouraged to submit infrastructure plans at the earliest stages to support inter-agency coordination, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance accountability,” the DoE said in a statement on Tuesday.

The DoE recently consulted stakeholders to refine the draft terms of reference for the fifth round of the green energy auction (GEA-5), the first Philippine auction dedicated to offshore wind projects.

The DoE said it will adopt “a more holistic and balanced approach” to bid evaluation, including price criteria, technical readiness, the permit progress, grid connection status, delivery timeline, and risk management.

For the offshore wind auction, only bank guarantees, irrevocable standby letters of credit, or cash will be accepted as performance securities, while surety bonds will no longer be permitted.

Developers proven at fault for delays exceeding three year will have their certification of award and the certificate of endorsement for the green energy tariff revoked. However, lenders’ “step-in rights” will be recognized, allowing them to assume project control before any revocation occurs.

Meanwhile, the DoE said it plans to publish a long-term GEA roadmap, which will outline indicative timelines and capacity targets for future auction rounds.

“The energy transition requires more than just policy, it demands implementable rules, open dialogue, and strong partnerships,” Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said. “We are working to make the process more responsive to real project conditions and more consistent across the board.”

The offshore wind auction will offer 3,300 megawatts of capacity, with installation targeted for between 2028 and 2030. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera