MANILA – The Department of Energy (DOE) said Thursday it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tokyo-based Hydrogen Technology Incorporated (HTI) to explore the potential of hydrogen as an energy source for the Philippines in the future.
DOE secretary Alfonso Cusi and HTI president and chief executive officer Yasuhiro Yamamoto signed on Wednesday the MOU that aims to study hydrogen production in the country.
HTI is the second partner of DOE in studying hydrogen as fuel for power generation.
“With the assistance of HTI and through the signing of the MOU, we are hopeful that the development of hydrogen energy will eventually be realized,” Cusi said.
Through the partnership with HTI, the DOE hopes to bring in Japanese technology in hydrogen power generation to the country.
“The DOE, with the creation of the Hydrogen and Fusion Energy Committee, commits to exploring hydrogen as a viable alternative and cleaner source of energy and its other beneficial applications for the Filipino people,” Cusi said.
Aside from achieving energy independence, the DOE aims to increase the share of alternative fuel in energy mix that will significantly reduce the country’s carbon dioxide emission.
Currently, coal accounts for 48 percent of the total energy mix, renewable sources at 26 percent, and natural gas at 21 percent.(PNA)
