The Department of Energy (DOE) revealed that several businesses from North America, Europe, and Australia are interested in competing for contracts for hydrogen projects in the Philippines.
In a report by Business World, Energy Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales said that the energy department was surprised to see the level of interest in the areas being bid out for hydrogen exploration.
In February, the DOE began the bidding process for exploring coal, petroleum, and native hydrogen in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other areas across the country. The deadline for submitting bids for native hydrogen is August 27.
Two designated native hydrogen regions next to the western part of Central Luzon and the northern part of the Zambales Ophiolite Complex are offered for bidders to contend with in the 2024 Philippine bid round.
According to the DOE, hydrogen plays a significant role in the energy transition and is an innovative technology with a wide range of uses in the power, transportation, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Following this, the department organized the Hydrogen Energy Industry Committee to oversee the implementation of a circular dated January 12, which established the national policy framework and roadmap for hydrogen development.
Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said Europeans are interested as naturally occurring hydrogen was discovered in Mali and in France and in time, even the East Asian neighbors would consider looking for opportunities offered in this area.
Sales continued by saying that China and Japan are both heading in the same direction when it comes to producing hydrogen through electrolysis, but from separate viewpoints on hydrogen manufacturing.
