DENR Issues Enhanced ECC Guidelines for Offshore Wind Projects

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued Administrative Order No. 2026-09, prescribing enhanced guidelines for the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) process applicable to offshore wind (OSW) energy projects. Issued pursuant to the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System (PEISS), the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, and Executive Order No. 21, the Order establishes a robust regulatory framework sustainable OSW development. The guidelines address the gaps in data collection, compliance monitoring, financial assurances, and stakeholder engagement aligned with Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) to safeguard the environment and support socio-economic benefits.

The guidelines apply to all OSW energy projects within Philippine jurisdiction, which are bottom-fixed foundation and floating wind turbine generators (WTG). The guidelines cover their offshore and onshore components, associated facilities, and the key considerations across the lifecycle of OSW projects. 

The OSW project lifecycle begins with the pre-application stage, which covers the initial site selection and identification of area for exploration. During this stage, developers shall coordinate with the Department of Energy (DOE) to secure area clearance by filing a Letter of Intent in accordance with the mapping requirements through the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System. 

The next phase is the application for a pre-development ECC (PD-ECC) which shall be completed within five (5) years, with possible extension of two (2) years. This stage covers the conduct of preliminary assessment and feasibility studies. During the PD-ECC, developers shall submit indicative plans of the required documents listed in the Order.

Upon securing the necessary approvals, the projects proceed to the development stage which pertains to the mobilization of the offshore works including the installation, testing, and commissioning of the facilities. Developers must undertake measures to minimize impacts during construction and operation which include protection of marine life and birds and waste management.

The final stage of the OSW project is decommissioning. Developers, at their own expense, will cause the decommissioning and termination following the Abandonment and Termination Plan (ATP) they submitted during the PD-ECC stage. The ATP shall include decommissioning strategies, monitoring, maintenance, site management protocols, and a decommissioning schedule. The ATP shall be reviewed and updated by the developers every five (5) years or as the need arises to consider changes to the wind farm structures. Crucially, the guidelines mandate financial assurance for decommissioning and environmental rehabilitation to ensure that, at the end of a project’s operational life, all offshore infrastructure is removed, and the site is restored to a safe and environmentally sound state.

Stakeholder engagement is a central feature of the revised framework. Project proponents are required to undertake comprehensive stakeholder mapping that includes affected local communities, fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples. Public and technical scoping activities must be conducted to determine the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), while multiple communication channels such as community consultations and digital platforms must be utilized to promote transparency throughout project development. During commercial operations, proponents must also conduct a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) every three (3) years to evaluate and address the project’s socio-economic impacts.

The Order likewise strengthens environmental compliance monitoring throughout the OSW project’s lifecycle. Project proponents are required to submit the collected data semi-annually through the Compliance Monitoring Reports (CMRs) online system and cooperate with Multipartite Monitoring Teams (MMTs).