UK to supply microgrid, offshore wind technical aid

THE PHILIPPINES signed technical assistance agreements with the UK for its offshore wind and microgrid industries, the Department of Energy (DoE) said in a statement.

The three technical assistance projects are intended to support the Philippines’ transition to a low-carbon economy, the DoE said.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin and Lloyd Cameron, economic and climate counsellor for the British Embassy in Manila, signed a letter of intent (LoI), formalizing collaboration under the UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) Philippines Country Fund.

“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,” Ms. Garin said.

The first technical assistance project will support the DoE in developing a robust evaluation framework for infrastructure plans submitted by developers under the green energy auction (GEA) for offshore wind.

The framework will set documentation standards and evaluation criteria that reinforce “transparent, credible, and bankable auction processes.”

The fifth round of the GEA, which is set to be conducted next year, focuses on fixed-bottom offshore wind technology, with an installation target of 3.3 gigawatts and delivery set for 2028-2030.

Another project covers the development of a comprehensive data collection framework for the DoE’s priority microgrid sites to strengthen institutional capacity for microgrid planning and evidence-based decisions. 

The third assistance package supports the technical validation and peer review of the initial results of the marine spatial planning process and tools for use in planning offshore wind development.

“These workstreams will help the DoE sharpen implementation discipline — from clearer documentation standards and review criteria for (offshore wind) auctions to better site data that supports transparent, competitive microgrid procurement,” Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara 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 until March 2027, with the DoE and the British Embassy in Manila also organizing capacity-building activities, including workshops and training sessions for government officials and stakeholders. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera