The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have joined forces to help accelerate the Philippines’ clean energy transition through a three-year technical cooperation project focused on hydropower development.
In a statement released last week, the DOE announced that outgoing Secretary Raphael Lotilla and JICA Chief Representative Baba Takashi formalized the partnership by signing the Records of Discussion for the “Project on Resource Inventory of Hydropower Potential Sites” on June 9.
The project will undertake a comprehensive, nationwide assessment to map large-scale hydropower sites that could support sustainable power generation. It is expected to bolster private sector participation under the DOE’s Open and Competitive Selection Process.
Set to begin in September 2025, the project will zero in on identifying sites suitable for impounding and pumped-storage hydropower technologies, particularly those with a capacity of over 100 megawatts (MW).
The initiative will be rolled out in three phases. These include the collection of critical data—such as topographic maps, rainfall patterns, and river flow information—and the conduct of field surveys in four selected priority areas. These sites will undergo pre-feasibility studies, laying the groundwork for future energy investments.
“This project marks a crucial step toward harnessing the full potential of hydropower, particularly pumped storage, as a strategic enabler of a power system that is clean, flexible, and resilient. Japan’s global leadership in hydropower innovation brings immense value to this collaboration,” Lotilla said.
“Through JICA’s technical expertise, we gain the tools and insights needed to identify and unlock untapped hydropower resources, laying a strong foundation for long-term investments, rural development, and enhanced energy security,” he added.
The project also comes as Lotilla prepares to transition to a new role as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, where he will succeed Maria Antonia Loyzaga.