Developers can secure a fair transition for fishing communities by including them in every stage of project planning and providing more than just one-time financial payments. According to the authors of the newly released report, the key is to combine fair compensation with long-term opportunities for job training and alternative ways to earn a living within the new energy sector.
The report recommends that developers “protect fishery livelihoods with an integrated package” that combines “time-bound compensation, community-based livelihood diversification programme, spatial planning (seasonal corridors), and fisheries co-management measures.” It further notes that companies should “support the training programmes for supply/logistics roles, vessel support services, sea-based monitoring, co-use compensation management roles, to formalise the fishing groups in the OFW industry.”
This means that instead of simply paying fishers to stay away from wind farm sites, developers should treat them as partners in the project. This involves mapping out the ocean together to ensure fishing can continue safely, offering financial support that covers lost income, and teaching community members the skills needed for new jobs, such as running supply boats or monitoring environmental impacts. By doing this, the transition becomes a way to improve local livelihoods rather than just compensating for a loss.
Released in March 2026 by the Global Wind Energy Council, the report “Offshore Wind for Coastal Development: Socio-Economic Impact Study” explores the economic potential of wind energy in the Philippines. It was prepared by a joint team of experts from GWEC and the consultancy NIRAS, led by Ann Margret Francisco and Juan Miguel Consolacion.
