WIND POWER – The elevated ridge of Buko Buko sa Anay in Duero, Bohol, has drawn attention not only as an emerging ecotourism destination but also as a promising site for wind energy development. Perched high above the easthern coast of Bohol, the area is characterized by steep ridgelines, open rock formations, and consistent strong winds — natural conditions that make it attractive for wind power generation. (Contributed photo)
By DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
The Department of Energy (DOE) has approved the 100-megawatt Wind Power Project in the municipality of Duero, Bohol, positioning the province as a new frontier in the Philippines’ rapidly accelerating push to develop wind energy.
The project, backed by Duero Mayor Al Taculad and Vice Mayor Hernes Bajao, is expected to involve the installation of 10 to 15 wind turbines and is designed to deliver cleaner and more affordable electricity in line with the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.
Taculad said the project could yield benefits well beyond power generation, including new livelihood opportunities and a tourism boost for the municipality.
“The windmills may become a new attraction for tourists visiting Bohol,” Taculad said, adding that construction and operation of the plant would create jobs for Bohol residents.
Officials credited the unity among local government leaders as pivotal in drawing the large-scale investment to Duero.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PUSH
The approval comes as the Philippines undertakes one of the most ambitious energy transitions in Southeast Asia, driven by a government target of 35% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
The DOE reported record-breaking renewable energy capacity additions in 2024, generating 794.34 MW of additional capacity — exceeding the combined output of the three previous years.
In November 2025, the DOE finalized its fourth Green Energy Auction, awarding 10,195 MW of renewable capacity across 123 projects — the largest single-round clean energy procurement in Philippine history, with awarded capacity including over 2.2 gigawatts of onshore wind.
The Philippines ranked as the second most attractive emerging market for renewable energy investments, according to BloombergNEF’s Climatescope 2024 report.
WIND POWER
Despite the country’s geographic advantages, wind power remains underutilized.
As of 2023, the Philippines has more than 400 MW of installed wind capacity, primarily concentrated in Northern Luzon.
Wind, solar, and other renewable sources account for only 14.7% of the country’s power, while coal provides 59% of the national electricity supply.
According to data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the country records an average wind power density of approximately 31 watts per square meter, while earlier studies by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory identified over 10,000 square kilometers of land with good-to-excellent wind resource potential.
The government has set a target of 5 GW of installed onshore wind capacity by 2030 and has identified a total technical offshore wind potential of 207 GW, about half of it in areas with strong wind speeds above 8 meters per second.
The World Bank estimates that the Philippines could expand its total offshore wind capacity to 21 GW by 2040, as the country works toward a 75% reduction in emissions by 2030.
Visayas Wind Development
The Duero project is particularly remarkable for the Visayas, where grid reliability and dependence on imported fuel have long been noted.
ACEN’s 54-MW Guimaras Wind project was the first wind farm to come online in the Visayas, but development of wind resources across the island group has remained limited.
A utility-scale project in Bohol would add local generation capacity and reduce the province’s exposure to fuel price shocks — a vulnerability thrown into sharp relief by the current spike in electricity costs tied to Middle East war.
Wind energy development creates jobs for local residents at every stage — from construction and installation to operation and maintenance — and by reducing exposure to volatile fuel imports, can help stabilize electricity prices over time.
The government has also streamlined permitting for energy projects through the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop platform and, under Executive Order No. 18, introduced Green Lane certification to enable faster implementation of foreign direct investments in the sector.
In 2022, the DOE amended the implementing rules of the Renewable Energy Act, removing nationality restrictions on the exploration, development, and utilization of certain types of renewable energy — a move that has spurred interest from foreign investors in both solar and wind projects across the country.
MIDDLE EAST CONSEQUENCE
The Energy Regulatory Commission has warned the public to expect higher electricity bills in April 2026, citing rising fuel import costs driven by ongoing Middle East conflict, a weakening peso, and increased demand during the summer season.
ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan said the turmoil abroad could trigger a domino effect that would push up not only gasoline prices but also the generation charges paid by households and industries.
“As generation charge is a pass-through component, any movement in fuel price also affects the cost of producing electricity, and this is automatically passed on to consumers,” Juan said.
The Philippines imports nearly all of its thermal fuel requirements — coal, natural gas, and oil — making the country particularly vulnerable to global market fluctuations, Juan added.
To cushion the impact on consumers, the ERC said it is considering a staggered collection scheme that would spread any rate increases over several months rather than imposing them in a single billing cycle.
The commission is also intensifying oversight of power plants and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market to prevent price manipulation and ensure stable electricity supply as demand climbs with the onset of hot weather.
The ERC and the Department of Energy are coordinating to monitor potential supply shortages and avert blackouts.
The agency reminded low-income households of the Lifeline Subsidy and Rate Program, which offers discounts to consumers with minimal electricity consumption to help ease the financial burden of rising utility costs.
The ERC also urged all consumers to practice energy conservation to lower their bills and help maintain grid stability.
Duero Tourism
In a related news, Duero LGU officials have launched Mt. Sagungan, known locally as “Boko-Boko sa Anay,” as the municipality’s newest eco-tourism site, offering visitors cliff views, virgin forest, and mountain trekking experiences.
Mayor Al Taculad led the unveiling ceremony Friday in Barangay Danao, describing the program as part of efforts to develop tourism while protecting the natural environment and strengthening public cooperation.
Taculad said the local government unit is studying the installation of environment-friendly facilities at the site to improve the visitor experience without compromising its ecological character.
The mayor expressed continued commitment to positioning Duero as a more competitive tourist destination within Bohol and thanked local officials and community partners for their support in developing the new attraction.