Philippines grant exploration rights to US natural hydrogen firm
In the UK, GasWorld reported that the Philippine government has granted US-based company Koloma the sole natural hydrogen exploration rights in the western Zambales Province.
Granted under Service Contract (SC) 92, a permit enabling exclusive access to prospect the area’s resources, it adds to two prior permits awarded through a competitive process by the Department of Energy.
With activities underway at the two prior sites, SC 92 brings Koloma’s total permitted exploration zone in the country to more than 4,100km2.
The Philippines has been advancing green molecule prospects since its Department of Energy revealed the hydrogen and ammonia roadmap in 2024, according to the report.
This incentivizes hydrogen and derivative projects through grants, tax breaks and duty exemptions, furthering aims to convert natural gas-fired power plants to hydrogen and widen adoption of the molecule throughout the country, the report added.
Philippines Secretary of Energy, Sharon Garin, claimed that if commercially viable quantities of hydrogen are discovered, the country’s energy security would be bolstered at no cost to taxpayers.
Category: Hydrogen
