DOE, UK ink deal to advance offshore wind, microgrids

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the British Embassy in Manila have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to strengthen technical assistance and institutional capacity in offshore wind and microgrid development under the UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) Philippines Country Fund.

The LOI, signed on Dec. 16, 2025, by Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin and Lloyd Cameron, Economic and Climate Counsellor of the British Embassy, reinforces the deepening climate cooperation between the Philippines and the United Kingdom. The partnership is part of the broader 2025 UK–Philippines Joint Framework for the Enhanced Partnership.

“This LOI reinforces our shared commitment to practical, outcomes-driven climate cooperation where technical rigor, transparent processes, and stronger institutional capacity translate into deliverable projects on the ground,” Secretary Garin said.

“By strengthening the frameworks that make offshore wind and microgrid development more feasible, credible, and well-governed, we can accelerate the shift to cleaner and more reliable energy while safeguarding public interest and long term energy security,” she added.

The LOI outlines three key technical assistance projects that support energy sector priorities under the UK PACT program, focusing on improving readiness and governance of clean energy initiatives.

The first project will aid the DOE in developing a robust evaluation framework for offshore wind (OSW) infrastructure proposals under the Green Energy Auction 5 (GEA 5). The framework will define feasibility standards, documentation protocols, and evaluation criteria to ensure transparent and credible auction processes.

The DOE said that improving review methods for infrastructure plans—especially concerning project timing, deliverability, and milestone verification—will help ensure that auction results lead to timely and responsible project implementation.

The second project will establish a comprehensive data collection framework for DOE-prioritized microgrid sites. It is intended to support the DOE’s Competitive Selection Process for Microgrid System Providers (CSP-MGSP) and advance rural electrification goals by improving planning data accuracy and usability.

The third technical assistance project will focus on technical validation and peer review of the initial outputs of the marine spatial planning (MSP) process and its tool for OSW applications. The project will emphasize methodological integrity, stakeholder input, and capacity-building for agencies such as the DOE and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The DOE highlighted that improved MSP tools and practices will lead to more transparent and coordinated siting decisions, which are critical to building investor confidence in the country’s offshore wind roadmap.

Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara emphasized that the goal of the partnership is to translate energy policy into tangible outcomes. “These workstreams will help the DOE sharpen implementation discipline — from clearer documentation standards and review criteria for OSW auction to better site data that supports transparent, competitive microgrid procurement,” she said.

“The objective is straightforward: improve readiness and confidence so that commitments convert into timely, reliable projects on the ground,” she added.

The UK PACT Philippines Country Fund support will run through March 2027. During this period, the DOE and British Embassy Manila will conduct workshops and training sessions for relevant government agencies and stakeholders to ensure effective use of the tools and frameworks developed.