ACEN Joins Forces with Danish Firm for Clean Energy Push
- June 18, 2025
ACEN Corporation, the energy platform of the Ayala Group, has entered into a strategic partnership with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to develop a 1-gigawatt (GW) offshore wind project in San Miguel Bay, Camarines Sur. CIP, through its Growth Markets Fund II, has agreed to sell a 25% minority stake in the project to ACEN, subject to regulatory approvals.
This collaboration marks ACEN’s entry into the offshore wind sector and aligns with its commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio.
(Also read: DOE: Offshore wind projects to power over 16GW in new energy capacity by 2028)
A trailblazing initiative
The project’s location in San Miguel Bay offers several advantages for offshore wind development. The area features shallow waters, strong wind resources, and proximity to shore and grid infrastructure, which are ideal for offshore wind energy production. Additionally, the in-bay position of the site is expected to reduce typhoon risk and enhance operational stability.
In October 2024, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) awarded CIP the first pre-development Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for any offshore wind project in the Philippines. This milestone allows CIP to initiate offshore site surveying, a critical step in advancing the project’s development.
Eric Francia, ACEN’s president and CEO, said the collaboration with CIP could open doors for more large-scale renewable energy developments in the Philippines.
“Offshore wind is poised to play a vital role in diversifying the country’s energy mix. ACEN is pleased to partner with CIP, a global leader in the offshore wind sector. We look forward to collaborate on this trailblazing initiative,” Francia said.
(Also read: The promise and pitfalls of wind power)
Commitment to renewable energy transition
Robert Helms, a partner at CIP’s Growth Markets Fund II, noted that the partnership supports the Philippine government’s ongoing push toward green energy goals.
“Together with CIP’s offshore wind expertise, we believe that ACEN’s experience and domestic and international track record in project execution and stakeholder management will set a strong foundation for successful development of the Camarines Sur offshore wind project, including anticipated participation in the upcoming first offshore wind auction. We are also working towards the ambition of making this one of the first operational offshore wind projects in the Philippines in line with the offshore wind targets set by the current Philippine administration,” Helms said.
The collaboration between ACEN and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners represents a significant step forward in the development of offshore wind energy in the Philippines. With favorable site conditions and regulatory support, the San Miguel Bay Offshore Wind Project is poised to play a pivotal role in the country’s transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
Sources:
https://asian-power.com/project/news/acen-taps-cip-1-gw-offshore-wind-project-in-ph
