The 1,200 megawatt (MW) Guimaras Strait Offshore Wind Project has achieved a critical milestone after receiving its Certificate of Confirmation of Commerciality (CoCoC) from the Department of Energy (DOE).
The development positions the project, located between the shores of Panay and Negros Occidental, as one of the largest offshore wind ventures in the Philippines.
The Guimaras Strait project, developed by a consortium of Triconti Windkraft Group, Sea Wind Holdings, and Stream Invest Holding, will be built in two phases of 600 MW each.
It is among three offshore wind projects in the country to receive CoCoC approval, marking the beginning of detailed planning, construction, and production phases for the next 20 years.
Triconti Director Theo C. Sunico acknowledged the significance of this achievement, saying, “It has been a long journey to reach this developmental milestone, but the hard work continues as we aim to implement these strategic energy investments as soon as realistically possible.”
Alongside the Guimaras Strait project is the 450 MW Frontera Bay Wind Power Project off the coasts of Cavite and Bataan.
Both projects are part of a broader push by the DOE to ramp up offshore wind capacity in the country, with the next step being participation in the Green Energy Auction for Offshore Wind in 2025.
The Guimaras Strait project, with its proximity to high-demand grids, is expected to significantly boost the country’s renewable energy capacity and contribute to the Philippines’ target of 15.3 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy generation by 2030.
Offshore wind is projected to contribute between 3 and 6 GW of that target.
Sascha Lindemann, Managing Director of Sea Wind, highlighted the broader impact of the projects, noting that they will enhance the country’s energy independence and create thousands of jobs.
“The projects of Triconti, Sea Wind, and Stream will enhance the Philippines’ energy independence and green capacity while also providing valuable training and development opportunities, promoting the growth of local businesses, and creating up to 2,700 jobs throughout various phases of implementation,” Lindemann said.
These offshore wind ventures represent a major step in the Philippines’ efforts to position itself as a key player in the Southeast Asian renewable energy market.
