Northern samar: The Northern Samar provincial government has initiated social preparation initiatives for communities anticipated to host an offshore wind power project.

According to Philippines News Agency, Jhon Allen Berbon, head of the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO), announced that community readiness and engagement activities will be implemented in partnership with the non-government organization Fisheries Reform (NFR). Discussions with NFR officials are centered on the proposed 650-megawatt offshore wind farm.

Berbon noted that NFR emphasized its role in increasing awareness among local government units and coastal communities about renewable energy development. This includes understanding its potential benefits and the necessity to protect coastal and marine resources. "The organization underscored the need for communities to be well-informed and actively involved in renewable energy development without compromising environmental integrity," he said in a phone interview on Friday.

PEDIPO has pledged its support for NFR's initiatives and has delineated key activities under the proposed collaboration. These activities include stakeholder surveys, community consultations and workshops, vulnerability assessments, and onsite rapid resource assessment and valuation analyses.

"The results of these activities will serve as the basis for policy recommendations to further strengthen the province's renewable energy and coastal resource management framework," Berbon stated. The 650-megawatt offshore wind power project, valued at PHP108 billion, will be developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and is currently in the due diligence phase.