First offshore wind farm to rise in Ilocos Norte

BAGUIO CITY (November 13, 2024) – The Ilocos Norte provincial government said private energy firm PetroGreen Energy Corporation (PGEC) partnering with Copenhagen Energy (CE) is building Ilocos Norte’s first offshore wind farm through the North Luzon Offshore Wind Power Project (NLOWPP) covering Burgos, Bangui, and Pagudpud towns.

Further boosting Ilocos Norte’s stake as the “Renewable Energy Capital of Southeast Asia”, the NLOWPP will deliver ~1,500 to 2,000 MW of clean and sustainable power to the Luzon grid.

NLOWPP will be developed by BuhaWind Energy North Luzon Corporation (BENLC), a joint venture between PGEC and Copenhagen Energy A/S (CE), a Danish renewable energy developer and trading firm with solar, onshore and offshore wind projects in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

This project will involve the installation of ~100 floating offshore wind turbine generators with a generating capacity of 15 to 18 megawatts each, whose full-scale commercial operations starts in 2030.

In 2022, PGEC met with in a series of dialogues with Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc to broker the offshore wind power project.

At present, PGIN through the Ilocos Norte Trade and Investments Office, is actively assisting PGEC in the pre-development stages of the project by launching feasibility studies, environmental assessments, community consultations, coordination with Local Government Units, as well as working on national endorsements and required certifications.

“CSR at work”

PGEC said it is also closely linking up with the Ilocos Norte provincial government to launch its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects We Power CARE (Conservation, Awareness, Restoration, and Ecotourism) under its environment and sustainability program and We Power HELP (Health, Education, and Livelihood Program), seeking to support local host communities through targeted and strategic initiatives on community building and environment protection.

Gov. Manotoc vows that the provincial government will continue pursuing investments from renewable energy developers to increase the province’s renewable energy portfolio, decrease electricity rates, and generate more employment opportunities for the Ilocano community.

PGEC is the renewable energy holding company of PetroEnergy Resources Corporation, member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, operating multiple renewable energy power plants in the country which utilizes geothermal, wind, and solar resources.