DOE pushes execution to secure PH energy future

The Department of Energy (DOE) said on Tuesday that project delivery—not merely project approval—will determine the country’s long-term energy security as the Philippines accelerates its renewable energy rollout, offshore wind development, and grid modernization efforts.

In her opening remarks at the 2025 Energy Security Forum in Manila, DOE Undersecretary Mylene C. Capongcol said the event signaled a transition “from plans to project” and from commitments to deliverables as the country faces rising exposure to fuel supply disruptions and global price volatility.

“Energy security is no longer a technical aspiration—it is a national imperative,” Capongcol said, noting the Philippines’ vulnerability to typhoons, floods, heat waves, and droughts that place increasing strain on infrastructure and economic resilience.

She said the Philippine Energy Plan aims for a 35% renewable energy (RE) share in the power generation mix by 2030, increasing to 50% by 2050, with clean energy scenarios incorporating offshore wind (OSW), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and nuclear power.

Offshore wind carries an initial target of 19 gigawatts (GW), with potential expansion up to 50 GW under advanced clean energy pathways.

“These are not abstract figures. They represent job creation, increase economic activity and long-term supply and price stability for the Filipino consumers,” Capongcol said.

She highlighted the government’s move allowing up to 100% foreign ownership in RE projects, which she said has significantly boosted investor confidence.

Based on a Board of Investments report, power and energy accounted for 58.74%, or about PHP 479.78 billion, of the country’s 2025 investment portfolio.

The DOE has also logged more than 120 megawatts (MW) of indicative and committed RE capacity.

Capongcol cautioned, however, that strong interest does not automatically translate into increased power supply.

“Execution does,” she said, emphasizing the need to synchronize ports, grid expansion, logistics, financing, and supply chains with project development timelines.

She said the transport sector remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, leaving the economy vulnerable to global price shocks and geopolitical tensions.

The Philippines’ 10% electric vehicle penetration target by 2040—supported by the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry, and the Biofuels Act—was framed as both a clean transport strategy and an energy security measure.

The DOE is positioning the Philippines as a player in the global battery and critical minerals supply chain, with nickel and copper deposits considered strategic national assets.

Capongcol said coordination is underway with the Philippine Ports Authority and international partners to upgrade ports for offshore wind components and large-scale clean energy equipment.

She confirmed that the terms of reference and notice of auction for 3.3 GW of fixed-bottom offshore wind projects have been issued.

She added that the Smart and Green Grid Plan—set to be embedded within the Transmission Development Plan—aims to prepare the grid for high renewable penetration and a more diversified power supply mix.

Capongcol cited the completion of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project as a significant milestone in creating a unified “One Grid Philippines,” which enhances system reliability, improves reserve sharing, and enables power flow between regions.

On long-term baseload supply, she said the government is pursuing nuclear power through the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee, supported by the newly enacted Phil-ATOM law, which establishes the regulatory foundation for the safe and secure use of nuclear technology.

“Energy security will ultimately be determined not only by how many megawatts we approve—but by how resilient, integrated, and investable our entire energy supply chain becomes,” Capongcol said.

She underscored the need for capital infusion across ports, transmission infrastructure, energy storage, system flexibility, domestic manufacturing, critical minerals processing, and last-mile systems.

She concluded by urging strategic investments that accelerate project implementation and strengthen system resilience, describing the forum as “a call to deploy capital where it matters most for national stability and climate resilience.”