Scatec eyeing 2.4 GW of wind projects in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Norwegian company Scatec is expanding its renewable energy portfolio in the Philippines, with plans to develop 2.4 gigawatts (GW) of wind projects, with the Aboitiz Group to be its likely local partner.

Torbjorn Elliot Kirkeby-Garstad, Scatec general manager for Southeast Asia, said the power projects would be composed of five wind energy projects, four offshore and one onshore.

“We’re talking billions to develop and build those. Billions of dollars,” Kirkeby-Garstad said.

“This will be in partnership with a Filipino company for sure. Regardless of change foreign ownership law, we are not doing this alone. This will be with a local partner,” he said.

Kirkeby-Garstad said Aboitiz is the company’s preferred local partner for the wind energy projects.

“Aboitiz has been our partner for many, many years. That’s an obvious choice. I guess we should keep it to that for now,” he said.

A recent World Bank report has shown that the Philippies has the potential to develop up to 178-GW of offshore wind.

Scatec owns and operates four hydropower plants together with Aboitiz Power Corp. through their joint venture, SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP).

These are the 105-megawatt (MW) Ambuklao and 140-MW Binga hydroelectric power plants in Benguet, the 388-MW Magat hydroelectric power plant on the border of Isabela and Ifugao, and the 8.5-MW Maris hydroelectric power plant in Isabela.