A recent opinion article in the Danish development media Globalnyt has raised concerns about the human and environmental impact of several wind power projects in the Philippines involving Danish companies, including Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Vestas.
The piece, written by Economic Development Specialist Malene Skensved of the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, argues that some large-scale renewable energy developments in the country have taken place with inadequate consultation of local residents and Indigenous communities. According to Globalnyt, community groups in provinces such as Aklan, Camarines Sur and Nueva Ecija have voiced concerns about deforestation, impacts on fishing grounds and pressure on protected areas linked to ongoing or planned wind power projects.
The article also references allegations by activists and civil society organisations that some energy projects in the Philippines have been approved without proper implementation of “free, prior and informed consent” procedures for Indigenous groups, and that vocal opponents of such projects have faced intimidation. Globalnyt writes that 306 environmental defenders have been killed or disappeared in the Philippines since 2012, citing figures from Global Witness.
Skensved argues that Danish companies expanding into the Philippines should conduct stronger human rights due diligence in areas where governance is fragile. She also calls on the Danish government to make respect for human rights a condition of its support for clean energy investments abroad.
Globalnyt noted that it contacted CIP, Vestas and the Danish Embassy in Manila to request responses to the criticism but had not received replies.
Background:
CIP confirms USD 3B offshore wind investment in the Philippines
The concerns published by Globalnyt emerge shortly after the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) of the Philippines announced that CIP executives met President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañang earlier this month.
According to the PCO, CIP reaffirmed its commitment to build its first offshore wind farm in Camarines Sur, a USD 3-billion project that will also be the company’s first offshore wind development in Southeast Asia. The investment will be made through CIP’s partnership with ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions.
President Marcos Jr. welcomed the investment, emphasising the government’s goal of accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The PCO stated that the project reflects strong foreign investor confidence in the Philippines’ renewable energy sector.
Founded in Denmark in 2012, CIP manages funds and invests in large-scale renewable energy projects worldwide. The company opened its Manila office in 2024 and previously partnered with the Philippine government on offshore wind service contracts totalling 2 GW in potential capacity.
Previously on ScandAsia
Danish companies have become increasingly active in the Philippines’ clean energy sector in recent years, particularly in offshore and onshore wind.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has taken a leading role in developing large-scale offshore wind in the country. In 2023, the company signed three offshore wind service contracts with the Philippine Department of Energy covering 2 GW in potential capacity.
https://scandasia.com/cip-signs-2gw-offshore-wind-agreements-with-philippines-department-of-energy/
In 2024, CIP opened a Manila office to support its expanding portfolio in Southeast Asia and deepen cooperation with local partners and government agencies.
https://scandasia.com/danish-cip-opens-office-in-manila-to-support-expanding-wind-projects/
In 2025, CIP reaffirmed plans to invest USD 3 billion in its first offshore wind farm in Camarines Sur during a meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañang Palace.
https://scandasia.com/danish-cip-confirms-usd-3b-investment-in-philippines-offshore-wind-project/
Other Danish companies have played roles in Philippine wind development as well. Vestas was chosen to service Siemens turbines in an earlier wind project in the country, highlighting the broader presence of Danish technology in the Philippines’ renewable energy transition.
https://scandasia.com/vestas-chosen-to-service-siemens-wind-turbines-in-philippines/
[…] Danish wind-projects in the Philippines have previously been called into question by experts. […]