By Mariela Angella Oladive
The state-owned Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) has set its sights on repurposing port assets, with Iloilo as one of the potential hubs for offshore wind projects.
In a recent statement, PNOC’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Oliver Butalid revealed plans to explore the redevelopment of port facilities in key provinces that can cater to the requirement for offshore wind development, reflecting the government’s anticipation of increased investor interest in renewable energy.
The Department of Energy (DOE) in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will identify suitable existing ports across the Philippines for transformation.
Among the ports under consideration alongside Iloilo are PNOC’s Energy Supply Base (ESB) Port in Batangas, Currimao Port in Ilocos Norte, Port Irene in Cagayan Valley, Batangas, Mindoro, and Bacolod.
Meanwhile, PNOC plans to select a private partner for the PHP5 billion redevelopment of its ESB Port this year.
The project, to be executed through a public-private partnership (PPP), awaits the finalization of the PPP Code’s implementing rules and regulations.
The corporation intends to award the contract to a foreign company due to the specialized nature of the project.
The plan includes expanding the 19-hectare port by three hectares, with the potential to become the nation’s first port for upcoming offshore wind projects.
According to DOE, it has awarded 82 offshore wind contracts with a total potential capacity of 63.36 gigawatts, presenting lucrative opportunities for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
By repurposing existing port assets, PNOC aims to enhance the efficiency of offshore wind projects, contributing to the nation’s energy transition goals.
