The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Danish firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has received its pre-development Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for its 1-gigawatt San Miguel Bay Offshore Wind Project in Camarines Sur, marking a significant milestone for offshore wind energy in the Philippines.
The Royal Danish Embassy in Manila announced Friday that this project is the first of its kind to secure a pre-development ECC from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), a crucial step in ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and global industry standards.
“With this certification in place, we have begun offshore site surveying, a critical phase in moving the project forward,” said Rune Damgaard, co-chief executive officer of Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP), the company managing the project.
The ECC is a mandatory requirement for all renewable energy (RE) projects in the Philippines, ensuring adherence to the government’s environmental rules. With the certificate, CIP can now proceed with exploration and pre-development activities, paving the way for the growth of offshore wind energy in the country.
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla emphasized the significance of this development, saying, “CIP, as a Department of Energy service contractor, can now advance its efforts, which are crucial in jumpstarting offshore wind energy and contributing to the Philippines’ long-term energy security goals.”
Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Mellbin also praised the ECC’s issuance, noting that CIP is the first foreign company to operate a renewable energy project in the Philippines under 100% foreign ownership, following recent changes in government policy that opened the RE sector to full foreign investment.
“Wind power is one of the key solutions to provide abundant, affordable, and reliable energy to every Filipino, ensuring the country’s continued growth and prosperity,” Mellbin said.
CIP is set to invest approximately PHP 170 billion in the San Miguel Bay Offshore Wind Project, which is expected to be operational by 2028. This project will play a vital role in bolstering the Philippines’ renewable energy capacity and energy independence.