Hydrogen and its Derivatives

The Philippines is in the early stages of developing a policy framework for hydrogen and its derivatives (principally ammonia) as low-carbon energy carriers for power generation and transport. As of 2023, all programs are at the R&D, policy formulation, or international partnership stage — no domestic hydrogen production targets have been set [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, pp.63–66, 2023]. Hydrogen sits alongside Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as an advanced fuel technology under the Philippine Energy Transition Program (PETP) .

Governance Bodies

Hydrogen and Fusion Energy Committee (HFEC): Established by DOE in 2020 to study the impact of hydrogen for both power generation and transport in the country’s energy mix. The HFEC study concluded that policy support and intervention are necessary to promote hydrogen use due to its high production costs, and identified green hydrogen using RE as fuel as the primary production pathway — with potential to reduce GHG emissions from the power and transport sectors [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, p.63, 2023].

Hydrogen Energy Industry Committee (HEIC): Proposed body to be established under a forthcoming DOE Department Circular. The HFEC was created via Special Order No. 2020-11-0041 (“Directing the Creation of a Hydrogen and Fusion Energy Committee to Make a Study on Hydrogen and Fusion Energy including Infrastructure Development Methods and Strategies, Prepare a Framework on their Inclusion in the Energy Mix”) [NREP 2020-2040, p.57, 2022]. The HFEC’s initial 2020 study identified green hydrogen using RE as fuel as the primary Philippine production pathway [NREP 2020-2040, p.57, 2022]. HEIC will oversee implementation of the guidelines in the DC [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, p.65, 2023].

National Policy Framework (Pending)

The DOE is preparing a Department Circular that will provide a comprehensive national policy and regulatory framework for hydrogen. It will cover [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, pp.64–65, 2023]:

• All activities across the full value chain: R&D, production, storage, transmission, distribution, utilization, construction, operation, and maintenance
• Public safety codes and standards for the safe operation, handling, and utilization of hydrogen systems
• Fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to attract private sector investment in hydrogen infrastructure

The policy framework is being informed by the EPPB 2023 Study titled “Developing a National Hydrogen-Ammonia Policy Framework and Roadmap for the Philippines” (Energy Policy and Planning Bureau) [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, Figure 16 caption, 2023].

Strategic Roadmap Elements (Figure 16)

Four pillars of the hydrogen development roadmap [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, pp.64–65, 2023]:

1. Policy and Research Development — Evaluate cost-effective low-carbon hydrogen types; R&D through DOST-PCIEERD (identified hydrogen as priority project); in-depth study of viability for transport and power generation
2. National Policy Framework — Enabling legislation/DC to signal investors and development partners; establish HEIC
3. Institutionalize Development Partnerships — Leverage international partners’ knowledge, resources, and experience; strategic R&D collaborations with Australia, France, Japan, Germany
4. Infrastructure Support Development — Encourage private sector investment across the value chain (production → importation → storage → transport → distribution → utilization); draft DC includes fiscal and non-fiscal incentives

International Partnerships

The DOE has entered into collaborative agreements with international companies and organizations from Australia, France, Japan, and Germany to explore hydrogen for gas-fired power plants and fuel cell technology [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, p.63, 2023]. As of the NREP 2020-2040 publication (July 2022), two MOUs had been signed with leading Australian and Japanese companies to further investigate hydrogen energy viability [NREP 2020-2040, p.57, 2022].

IPEF Hydrogen Cooperation: Under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), 14 member countries (Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the US) have expressed interest in cooperation on hydrogen and its derivatives. Work streams are being established [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, p.64, 2023].

Ammonia Co-Firing

Ammonia (a hydrogen derivative) is being studied as a co-firing fuel with coal power plants — a nearer-term application than pure hydrogen combustion. Two MOUs signed as of 2023 [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, p.63, 2023]:

Fuel Cell R&D and Testing Facility

A dedicated fuel cell research facility was inaugurated on 6 July 2023 at the DOST compound in Taguig City — the first of its kind in the Philippines. The facility is operated under a DOE–DOST-ITDI partnership [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, pp.81–82, 2023]:

• Focus areas: materials development, innovation for cell components, addressing fuel cell performance and durability barriers
• Partnership target completion: 2024
• Next step: pilot demonstration of locally developed fuel cell for transport vehicles
• Long-term goal: establish comprehensive testing facility to accelerate fuel cell deployment; jumpstart hydrogen production and utilization

Policy Recommendations (from PEP)

The DOE recommends the following to accelerate hydrogen development [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, p.65, 2023]:

• Establish an inter-agency committee on hydrogen and its derivatives
• Undertake extensive research and resource assessment
• Formulate a clear policy statement and strategy/roadmap
• Collaborate with local and international development partners
• Develop a master plan for hydrogen and its derivatives
• Direct PNOC (through subsidiaries) to conduct feasibility and technical studies and consider investment in hydrogen projects for power generation

Status Summary (2023)