DTI eyes visiting China to lure more investors EO 21 to hasten offshore wind projects, says DOE

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Sunday welcomed Executive Order (EO) No. 21 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as this will hasten the rollout of offshore wind (OSW) projects by mandating policy and administrative framework for the optimal development of OSW resources.

DOE said the EO would provide clarity as it will harmonize and streamline permitting processes and leasing fees for OSW projects under a whole-of-government approach and fully implement the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System to cover all relevant government agencies and bureaus.

Under EO No. 21 issued on April 19, “all permitting agencies shall within 60 days from the effectivity of this Order, submit to the DOE a complete list of appropriate permits required by relevant permitting agencies, including all requirements, fees and procedures for the issuance thereof.”

The DOE shall then “review the submission and take appropri-

TradeSecretary Alfredo Pascual said on Monday he plans to visit China later this year to attract more investors as the Philippines readies its participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ate action on whether they shall: a) initiate the full integration of applicable permit into the EVOSS platform, provided that all requirements have been submitted; or; b) require the permitting agency to remediate or supplement a deficient or incomplete submission.”

“With heightened investor interest in energy projects, especially in renewable energy, it is crucial to have a clear framework that would speed up the development of OSW and speed up approvals of necessary permits. We will work together with the concerned government agencies, local government units, and the transmission concessionaire to implement the President’ s directive,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in a news release.

The Philippines Offshore Wind Roadmap launched last year showcases the Philippines’ potential OSW resources estimated at 178 gigawatts (GW).

To date, the DOE has awarded 63 OSW Contracts with a total potential capacity of 49.928 GW, enough to supply the country’s fu-

China is part of RCEP, which is a free trade agreement among the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

“I am very optimistic about the interest of Chinese enterprises about investing in the Philippines. In fact, I’m scheduling a visit to China, perhaps probably sometime early third quarter if not towards the end of the second quarter,” Pascual said.

“We can talk about their investments in the processing of minerals, which we’re also discussing with some American and European companies. We can talk about manufacturing, especially I’d like to be able also to talk to companies who are diversifying their locations and we can try to catch some of them to locate in the Philippines,” he added.

Pascual said China is also interested in tropical food such as durian.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said the country collected $22 billion in “investment pledges” during his recent state visit to Beijing.

The Philippines is a “strategic location” for investments, Pascual said, adding that its young population and vibrant manpower could also attract more businesses.

FDTI, P10