US-based Koloma, Inc. has begun exploring for naturally occurring hydrogen in the Philippines, with plans to invest up to $9 million (around P554 million) to bring the country's first native hydrogen exploration project to the drilling stage by year-end, the Department of Energy (DoE) said. Energy Secretary Sharon S. made the announcement at a briefing on Monday, as reported by BusinessWorld.
The exploration targets natural hydrogen deposits, a clean energy resource that can be extracted directly from underground reservoirs. Unlike blue or gray hydrogen produced from fossil fuels, native hydrogen emits no carbon dioxide when used. The project marks a significant step for the Philippines in diversifying its energy mix and reducing reliance on imported fuels.
The DoE has been actively promoting hydrogen as part of the country's energy transition roadmap. If successful, this initiative could position the Philippines as a pioneer in native hydrogen exploration in Southeast Asia, potentially attracting further investment and technology partnerships in the emerging sector.