HDF Energy Philippines and the government-owned National Development Company (NDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on December 11 to fast-track the development of hybrid green hydrogen power plants across key regions in the Philippines.

The collaboration targets areas with high economic development needs, including Mindanao, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and off-grid communities served by the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG). Under the agreement, the partners will explore multi-megawatt projects that integrate renewable energy, lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen storage, and advanced fuel cell technologies.

HDF Energy’s Renewstable® technology provides a green alternative to conventional diesel power plants by generating electricity from solar or wind energy and water. By combining intermittent renewable sources with on-site green hydrogen storage, it delivers stable, baseload, non-intermittent power while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution.

“I am very proud of this partnership which will prioritize SPUG areas and Mindanao, delivering stable, clean, and reliable electricity to underserved communities,” Mathieu Geze, President and Director of HDF Energy Philippines, said. “Established in 1919, NDC continues to play a catalytic role in national development, while HDF brings global expertise in hydrogen technologies. Together, our organizations aim to unlock new economic opportunities and accelerate sustainable growth across remote and fast-developing regions.”

“This collaboration represents an important step in advancing sustainable, future-ready industries, and we are confident it will help enable innovative clean-energy solutions that support inclusive economic growth and long-term national resilience,” Saturnino H. Mejia, NDC General Manager, said.

French Ambassador to the Philippines and Micronesia, H.E. Marie Fontanel, witnessed the MoU signing. “Hydrogen is an important tool in advancing the decarbonization of the Filipino electrical mix, especially in remote regions,” she said. “This collaboration highlights France’s commitment to supporting sustainable and forward-looking energy solutions for the Philippines.”

The MoU also includes cooperation in research and development for electrolysis, proton exchange membrane technologies, hydrogen fuel cells, and safe hydrogen infrastructure. The partnership aims to support broader adoption of hydrogen solutions in energy and transport sectors, aligning with national priorities to expand clean energy access and enhance energy security.

The signing ceremony took place at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City and was witnessed by key representatives from both organizations, as well as the French Ambassador.

In October, HDF Energy announced plans to invest USD 1.6 billion in 15 green hydrogen power generation facilities across the Philippines over the next five years. The projects aim to provide stable, baseload 24/7 renewable electricity to island grids under the company’s Renewstable® model. HDF earlier said priority sites include the island grids of Marinduque, Masbate, Basilan, and Olutanga, where conventional grids face challenges of intermittency and limited capacity.

Could green hydrogen power become a viable solution for off-grid and fast-growing regions in the Philippines, and how might it reshape the country’s energy landscape?

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