Marcos orders creation of admin framework, policy for offshore wind development

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order directing the creation of the administrative framework and policy for offshore wind development.
 
In signing Executive Order 21, Marcos said there is a need to adopt a whole-of-government approach by streamlining and expediting the approval process by the permitting agencies for the issuance of permits, licenses, and clearances for offshore wind (OSW) resource projects and eliminating unnecessary delays in every stage of such a project.
 
He said that if optimally developed, OSW resources would play a major role in the country's goal for a low-carbon future, improved energy security, and reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels.
 
The EO stated that the Philippine Offshore Wind Roadmap has identified a total technical potential capacity of 178 gigawatts that can be harnessed from offshore wind resources.
 
In November last year, Marcos approved the plan of the Department of Energy to explore and develop the country's offshore wind potential as a source of sustainable energy.
 
The President tasked DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla and other energy officials to push through with the agency's offshore wind energy production initiatives.
 
Marcos said the DOE should handle the regulatory functions to streamline coordination and simplify the approval process, as the agency proposed the creation of an Offshore Wind Development and Investment Council. —VBL, GMA Integrated News