Mindanao Development Authority And HDF Energy Sign Deal For Olutanga Hydrogen Renewable Power Plant

Mindanao Development Authority or MinDA and a French Energy Firm signed a partnership for the Olutanga Hydrogen Renewable Power Plant Project, the first project of its kind to be undertaken in Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

Hydrogene de France Energy (HDF), the provider of Renewable energy systems, has pledged to produce non-intermittent and firm electricity in Zamboanga Sibugay Province and Pagadian City.

The Olutanga Hydrogen Renewable Power Plant Project is a renewable energy project that combines an intermittent renewable energy source, such as solar or wind, with hydrogen energy storage to provide stable and reliable electricity production.

Mathieu Geze, HDF Energy’s Head of Asia Business Development, said in a press conference here that the project combined an intermittent renewable energy source with mass, long-term storing of energy via a hydrogen chain.

He called the project the “greener alternative” to the classic diesel fuel-powered power plant, as it uses only solar energy and water for stable electricity production, thus avoiding noise and air pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

He said that the project is expected to be operational within two years. It can produce up to 45 megawatts of power, depending on the needs of the region.

The towns of Olutanga, Talusan, as well as Mabuhay will be used as test sites for renewable energy sources. Olutanga, a remote town in Zamboanga Sibugay, lacks a stable supply of electricity.

Geze stated that Renewtable’s unique characteristic is its ability “to serve base-load power which is powered entirely by renewable energy”. He said that the project would generate more than US$50 million in jobs in the region. Geze assured that there was no environmental impact.