State-run Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) is looking for a partner in its proposed Batangas offshore wind power integration port.
“We are exploring going into joint venture with a port developer, and we are discussing now with the PPP Center,” PNOC president Oliver Butalid said in a Senate hearing.
PNOC plans to transform its 19.2-hectare property in Mabini, Batangas into an integration port in preparation for the OSW power development in nearby service contract areas.
The OSW port was originally proposed as the PNOC Energy Supply Base, but the new management decided to revise the project after consultations with OSW proponents.
“The design presented, envisioned in 2019, cannot be responsive to the needs of this sector. It was the decision of the board because of this strategic positioning of our port vis-a-vis the Mindoro corridor that we will be the one to service the needs of the industry,” Butalid said.
“This is going to be a dedicated integration port for offshore wind. I think it is really responding to the need rather than perceived to be changing direction,” he said.
Butalid said they planned to engage the UP National Engineering Center to help with the feasibility study.
“It’s going to be widening the berthing capacity and strengthening the load bearing capacity of the existing wharf but it will cost more than original cost for a commercial port,” he said.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said PNOC should present a detailed plan before seeking for a budget approval. He said the previously approved P1.1 billion budget was for the ESB.
Gatchalian also said PNOC wanted to engage in too many activities outside its mandate.
PNOC bared plans to also enter the small scale liquefied natural gas (LNG), solar rooftop and electric vehicle industry.
“I feel it’s going to too many things that it’s losing its core reason why it was created in the first place which is to find more oil and gas and achieve energy security with those discoveries,” Gatchalian said.
“I respect your corporate decision, but then i will be looking at what you have achieved after one year,” he said.
