October 30, 2025 · The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is open to funding up to $1 billion to boost the Philippines’ national power grid, PhilStar reported. This amount will support the country’s shift towards renewable energy through offshore wind projects.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is on track to deliver the first kilowatt-hours of offshore wind capacity by 2028, before the end of President Marcos’ term, through the country’s first-ever offshore wind auction this year. As the agency works towards this, it is also looking at significant grid investments, which the potential ADB loan would greatly help with.
“It’s necessary (ADB loan) because the Philippines is quite interested in developing offshore wind. And so if you want to bring offshore wind into the grid, you need grid investments,” ADB Senior Director for Energy Priyantha Wijayatunga said.
However, ADB shared that it would take a while before the investment would formally push through, considering the amount, and because the power grid is currently held by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines. This is a privately-owned corporation with a 25-year concession contract and a 50-year franchise to operate the country’s power transmission network.
DOE aims to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix through the Philippine Energy Plan—from the current 22 percent to 35 percent by 2030, and 50 percent by 2040.
