THE Department of Energy (DOE) said it has conducted a reconnaissance survey in Zambales and Pangasinan in anticipation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of the country’s first service contracts for native hydrogen exploration.
Among the uses of hydrogen currently eyed in the energy sector is for it to be co-fired with natural gas to make the latter’s combustion cleaner.
The agency said in a briefing on Wednesday that last week’s survey by the DOE in collaboration with other government units covered areas that fall within the predetermined contract sites offered under the 2024 Philippine Energy Bid Round.
The survey marks a critical first step in supporting service contractors by providing baseline geological and environmental data to guide exploration activities for a more informed, efficient, and science-based approach to native hydrogen exploration once the service contracts are signed, the DOE added.
In November 2024, the agency said American and Singaporean firms submitted bids for the approval of the Office of the President for the proposed development of hydrogen resource areas adjacent to the northern portion of the Zambales Ophiolite Complex and the western portion of Central Luzon.
The DOE estimates that contractors would need to spend up to $5.7 million for the first sub-phase of developing the hydrogen potential of the two locations.
The agency also explained that identifying surface indicators such as hot springs and ophiolitic rock formations associated with natural hydrogen generation can reduce exploration risks, streamline technical studies, and ensure alignment with safety and environmental standards.
It said the survey was focused on sites with strong geological potential, particularly at the Mangatarem Hot Spring in Pangasinan, and the Botolan Hot Spring and Nagsasa Seeps in Zambales.
“By screening these areas, the survey will help guide service contractors in prioritizing locations for more comprehensive exploration. In essence, it lays the groundwork for where to focus efforts and what approaches to take in the pursuit of developing clean and sustainable energy sources,” Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said.
The reconnaissance survey also forms part of the DOE’s preparatory activities for the country’s first-ever training on native hydrogen exploration, a specialized course for local and international technical participants, scheduled to take place later this year.
“We also want to build the country’s technical capacity to explore and develop its own clean energy resources,” Sales said, adding that this means equipping scientists, engineers, and technical personnel with the skills, tools, and training needed for advanced research and fieldwork in emerging energy frontiers such as native hydrogen.
The DOE said the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) identified the town of San Antonio in Zambales as having the highest natural hydrogen gas seep ever recorded in the country.
