Ateneo de Manila University researchers said harnessing just a fifth of the Philippines’ tidal energy resources could theoretically generate enough electricity to meet the country’s current power demand, highlighting the potential of an often-overlooked renewable energy source.

Justin Kyle O. Ricafort and King Harold A. Recto of Ateneo’s Department of Electronics, Computer, and Communications Engineering estimate that Philippine coastal waters hold up to 170 gigawatts (GW) of theoretical tidal energy potential. By comparison, the country’s current installed power generation capacity stands at about 32 GW.

“According to independent studies, the Philippines’ coastal waters have a total theoretical potential power of as much as 170 gigawatts, compared to the country’s current installed capacity of 32 gigawatts,” Ricafort said.

He added that while not all of the resource can be recovered in practice, utilizing just 18% to 20% of the country’s tidal energy potential could theoretically cover current electricity consumption.

The researchers are advocating the use of tidal-stream energy systems, which use submerged turbines to convert the movement of ocean tides into electricity. Unlike solar and wind power, tidal currents are highly predictable, allowing for more consistent energy generation.

Among the locations identified as having strong potential for tidal energy development are the San Bernardino Strait, San Juanico Strait, and Cebu Strait. The researchers cited favorable water current speeds, proximity to population centers, and access to transmission infrastructure as key advantages of these areas.

Ricafort and Recto also pointed to a one-megawatt tidal-stream energy project being installed near Capul Island in Northern Samar. The facility is intended to replace diesel-powered generators serving the remote community and could serve as a model for future marine renewable energy projects in the country.

The researchers said wider adoption of tidal energy could help reduce the Philippines’ dependence on imported fuels such as coal and natural gas, which often expose consumers to global fuel price fluctuations and supply disruptions.

They added that marine energy development could contribute to addressing the energy trilemma—the challenge of balancing energy security, affordability, and sustainability—while expanding access to electricity in underserved coastal areas.

However, the researchers acknowledged that tidal energy technology remains more expensive than solar and wind power. They said larger-scale deployment and sustained investment would be needed to lower costs and improve commercial viability over time.

Despite these challenges, Ricafort and Recto believe the Philippines’ extensive coastlines and strong marine currents position the country to become a leader in ocean energy development in Southeast Asia.

As the Philippines continues to diversify its renewable energy portfolio, could tidal power emerge as the country’s next major source of clean energy?

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