In 2027, Ilocos Norte’s coastline may see a transformation, not from the natural ebb and flow of tides but from offshore turbines.
The BuhaWind Floating Windmill Project, a 2,000-megawatt offshore wind farm, is poised to begin construction. With the first power expected in 2028 and full operation by 2030, this project marks the Philippines’ entry into offshore wind energy, aligning with the Department of Energy’s goal of generating 28 gigawatts of offshore wind by the end of the decade.
The promise of BuhaWind is clear: cleaner energy, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and the ability to serve over one million households still lacking electricity. Offshore wind energy also offers higher output and less land disruption compared to traditional sources.
However, the reality for coastal communities tells a different story. Over 6,300 registered fisherfolk from Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui, and Pagudpud could face significant disruption due to exclusion zones and restricted access to traditional fishing grounds for three years. While fishing is promised post-construction, safety zones around turbines may continue to limit catch potential. These disruptions threaten local livelihoods and food security, with compensation and mitigation efforts still uncertain.
The skepticism from local communities is palpable. Fisherfolk in Bangui Bay have launched protests, expressing concerns that their voices will once again be ignored in the name of national progress. This sentiment is rooted in the experience of past renewable energy projects, where communities have seen little benefit.
Despite Ilocos Norte hosting various renewable energy ventures, residents continue to face unstable power supplies and rising electricity costs. Much of the energy generated benefits the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and corporations, leaving local communities in the dark.
The core question remains: can clean energy truly be considered clean if it displaces those it intends to empower?
Rather than rushing BuhaWind’s implementation, a more balanced approach is needed—one that emphasizes fair consultation, transparent decision-making, and equitable benefit-sharing.
If BuhaWind is to move forward, it must invest in the trust and livelihood security of the coastal communities it affects. Progress should not be measured solely by megawatts, but by how well we protect people, uphold dignity, and ensure that development benefits all.
Let BuhaWind be a model—not of controversy, but of cooperation. The future of clean energy must be both sustainable and just.
Edrhean Josh L. Dalumay,
Ilocos Norte