Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd. has successfully installed the first GW165-6.0MW wind turbine unit at the Kalayaan 2 wind farm, its inaugural project in the Philippines. Developed in partnership with Laguna Wind Energy Corporation, the project plans to install a total of 17 GW165-6.0MW units, achieving a total capacity of 100.8 megawatts. Once fully operational, the wind farm is expected to generate approximately 300 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, providing substantial support for alleviating local power supply constraints and stabilizing electricity prices.
The successful installation of the first turbine at the Kalayaan 2 wind farm comes at a critical time. Electricity prices in the Philippines are the second highest in Southeast Asia, trailing only Singapore. High power costs are hindering improvements in living standards and socio-economic development. This is largely due to the nation's reliance on fossil fuels for about 66% of its installed capacity and the need to import over half of its primary energy. Fluctuations in international markets and shipping costs often lead to price increases, subsequently slowing the pace of socio-economic progress.
In this context, the Philippines is demonstrating a firm strategic resolve to achieve a breakthrough via energy transition. In May 2022, the Department of Energy officially launched the first round of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP), aiming to add at least 25 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity through annual competitive auctions. During the launch, Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin emphasized that the program's goal is to translate investor interest into "reliable, affordable, and cleaner electricity" that can be tangibly felt by the Filipino people. The Kalayaan 2 project is advancing under this policy framework and has successfully secured a power supply agreement awarded under the fourth round of the GEAP.
The Kalayaan 2 wind farm, developed with Goldwind's involvement, not only provides much-needed, independently controllable clean power but also fosters local talent in the new energy sector through employee localization. Currently, over 60% of the project's workforce are local hires, with roles spanning turbine operation and maintenance, electrical engineering, and project management. The wind power project is transforming into a "growth engine" for local industrial development.
According to assessments by the Philippine Department of Energy, the country's technically exploitable wind power capacity, both onshore and offshore, is nearly 200 gigawatts, several times the nation's current total installed power capacity. Compared to traditional energy sources, wind power is an "inexhaustible" renewable resource. Scaling up wind power development has the potential to chart a breakthrough path for the Philippines' energy challenges—one characterized by "independence, significant potential, and promising value."
Wu Kai, Vice President of Goldwind and Chairman of Goldwind International, stated, "Our goal is to fully leverage the Philippines' abundant wind resources through technological innovation, delivering cleaner, low-cost local electricity to Filipino households and supporting the nation's pursuit of energy independence."