The Department of Energy in the Philippines is preparing to award contracts for hydrogen exploration.
This step is contingent upon receiving approval from President Marcos. As Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla mentioned, while candidates for the contracts have been identified, the final decision awaits the presidential go-ahead. This announcement came during the Pilipinas Conference 2024 held in Makati City.
The department has clarified that companies interested in these hydrogen exploration contracts should possess both expertise in the field and sufficient financial resources. This ensures that potential bidders are capable of handling the technical and financial demands of hydrogen exploration projects.
Hydrogen presents a promising opportunity for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It can be derived from various sources and has been promoted as a more climate-friendly energy solution. The Marcos administration aims to increase renewable energy’s role in the nation’s power mix, targeting 35 percent by 2030, up from the current 22 percent. The DOE is also interested in exploring “naturally occurring” hydrogen.
In August, the DOE received five applications for hydrogen exploration in Central Luzon as part of its 2024 Philippine Energy Bid Round. Earlier in the year, two areas were offered for exploration in the northern Zambales Ophiolite Complex and the western part of Central Luzon. These projects have attracted interest from companies based in Australia, Europe, and North America.
