Philippines Wind Power Remains Stalled Despite Renewables Surge
MANILA — The Philippines wind power capacity has remained stuck for years, even as the government aggressively promotes renewable energy under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Latest data from the Department of Energy (DOE) reveal that installed wind energy capacity has stayed at 427 megawatts (MW) from 2022 to 2025.
This stagnation contrasts sharply with the growth seen in other clean energy sources. While wind power lingers, solar capacity has more than doubled from 1,530 MW to 3,003 MW in the same period. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) surged from 107 MW to 585 MW, hydropower rose slightly, and geothermal also recorded modest gains.
Renewable Energy Expansion Under Marcos
Aside from wind, renewable energy sources have shown clear increases. Hydropower capacity increased from 3,745 MW to 3,841 MW, and geothermal climbed from 1,952 MW to 1,987 MW. However, biomass energy slightly declined, from 611 MW to 595 MW.
Non-renewable energy sources experienced mixed results. Coal power grew from 12,428 MW to 13,006 MW, natural gas capacity jumped by 880 MW, while oil-based generation fell by 430 MW.
Promises vs. Reality in Wind Energy
The Marcos administration has signed numerous contracts aiming to develop the Philippines wind power potential, especially offshore. These projects involve several international and local firms, including agreements with entities from Denmark, Abu Dhabi, and Spain. Planned offshore wind farms could contribute thousands of megawatts across Luzon and Mindoro.
In 2023, Executive Order No. 21 mandated a clear policy framework for offshore wind development, streamlining permits and coordination among agencies. Yet, despite these efforts and a growing project pipeline, no new wind power capacity has been added to the grid as of 2025.
Installed Capacity vs. Project Commitments
Actual wind power generation has only grown modestly, from 1,030 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2022 to 1,239 GWh in 2025. This gain pales in comparison to solar power’s surge, which nearly doubled its output to 3,811 GWh.
Stakeholders point to permitting delays, site preparation challenges, and grid connection issues as major barriers preventing the translation of contracts into operational wind farms. The DOE has yet to offer a formal explanation for the wind power stagnation.
Meeting Renewable Energy Goals
The Philippines aims to boost renewable energy’s share of power generation to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040, relying heavily on wind, solar, and hydropower. Although the government has secured multiple wind energy agreements, the gap between commitments and installed capacity remains wide.
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