ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- Western Visayas is projected to be the renewable energy capital of the country, according to the Department of Energy.

Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Mercado Lotilla, who spoke during the 125th Independence Day celebration at Sta. Barbara town, emphasized the region's capacity on renewable energy supply. 

According to him, Western Visayas has a hydropower potential of 930 MW, almost 500 MW for solar energy, and around 13,000 MW for wind energy. 

Of this 13,000 MW wind energy potential, the 10, 473 MW is going to be offshore and the major part of it is under Iloilo province and neighboring islands of Negros and Guimaras. 

energy projects which will be built from 2024 to 2040.

Moreover, the utilization of ports will support the offshore wind industry in the country. 

The DOE chief further said that offshore wind will not be built immediately, however, preparations must be done such as training engineers, skilled people, and those who are going to construct the offshore wind energy.  

"By 2034, the Philippines is projected to join the ranks of $300 trillion economies in Asia, and without power, we will not be able to do that," Lotilla shared.  

DOE also noted that energy independence is one of the current thrusts of the government, and that the country aims to achieve 100% electrification of all barangays and sitios at the end of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (EAD-LMLE/PIA-Iloilo)