Marcos Hails $3-Billion Danish Boost to PH Clean Energy Drive
- November 13, 2025
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed executives from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) in Malacañang to discuss the Danish firm’s $3-billion entry into the Philippines’ renewable energy (RE) sector.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, one of the world’s top renewable investors, met with President Marcos “to express its confidence in investing in the country’s renewable energy sector,” citing the Philippines’ strategic location and the administration’s strong green push.
In partnership with Ayala Group’s ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions, CIP will launch a $3-billion offshore wind project in Camarines Sur—its first venture in Southeast Asia. Castro stated the move “serves as further proof of the continued high confidence of foreign investors in the Philippines’ energy and economic potential.”
The Palace said the project highlights the Marcos administration’s aim to draw sustainable investments, diversify the energy mix, and enhance transparency and accountability in key infrastructure programs, especially as reforms tackle corruption in flood control and public works initiatives.
(Also read: MGen Triumphs at 2025 Asian Power Awards for Leadership & Innovation)
Deepening partnership
Last December 2024, Denmark expressed a strong interest in expanding both onshore and offshore energy investments in the Philippines.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen highlighted that the Philippines’ favorable conditions for offshore wind projects could be applied onshore as well. “Your government has made very good conditions for offshore wind investments in the Philippines, and if you copy-paste that to onshore, you could unlock a huge potential,” he said.
In 2023, Copenhagen Infrastructure New Markets Fund, an affiliate of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), became the first fully foreign-owned company to secure wind energy service contracts from the Department of Energy (DOE), following the Philippines’ decision to allow full foreign ownership in the RE sector.
The projects cover offshore wind developments in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur (1,000 megawatts), Northern Samar (650 MW), and Pangasinan and La Union (350 MW).
According to Rasmussen, Danish businesses remain eager to invest in the Philippines. “It’s about avoiding corruption… and the Philippines has made a lot of progress regarding all these issues,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Calixto V. Chikiamco, president of the Foundation for Economic Freedom, supported the partnership as Denmark is recognized as a global leader in wind energy. “Danish companies are already investing in the Philippines due to the liberalization of RE projects, opening the sector to 100% foreign ownership,” he explained.
In May 2024, CIP deployed its light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system, using laser technology to measure wind speeds and evaluate the energy-generating potential of its planned offshore wind facility in Camarines Sur.
The Board of Investments granted CIP’s projects green lane endorsements, ensuring faster processing of the necessary permits.
Denmark’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Franz-Michael Mellbin, noted that the country’s rich natural resources, such as solar, wind, and biomass, provide a strong foundation for developing sustainable RE projects.
(Also read: Yes, Solar Energy is Booming–But How Green Is it, Really?)
Maritime security & defense
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo said the Philippines and Denmark are exploring deeper collaboration between their defense industries, with a focus on maritime security, upholding international law, and potential future defense partnerships.
Rasmussen expressed his desire for long-term collaboration between the Philippines and Denmark in defense, highlighting that Danish businesses and the defense industry possess expertise and capabilities that could help strengthen the Philippines’ defense capacity.
Denmark’s chief diplomat also affirmed support for ongoing negotiations between the European Union and the Philippines on a free trade agreement, anticipated to be finalized by 2027.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty stated that the government aims to complete trade talks with the EU by 2026 to prevent any lapse in trade benefits as the Philippines moves to upper middle-income status.
The Philippines participates in the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), a program offering special incentives to low- and lower-middle-income countries, allowing over 6,200 locally made products to enter the EU duty-free.
Sources:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1262490
