On May 5, 2023, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), OLTAMA (Olutanga, Talusan, and Mabuhay) Development Alliance, Pagadian City LGU, and the Zamboanga del Sur II Electric Cooperative signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) at the Acacia Hotel Davao for the development of the Olutanga Hydrogen Renewable Power Plant Project in Zamboanga Sibugay.
The municipalities of Olutanga, Talusan, and Mabuhay in Zamboanga Sibugay will serve as testing grounds for the project, which will be developed at Talusan.
However, Mathieu Geze, president and director of HDF Energy Asia, stated that the project will still be studied, particularly the water source, as it will require water to produce energy.
The power plant, according to French Ambassador to the Philippines Michéle Boccoz, is projected to help to the development of Zamboanga Sibugay and Mindanao as a whole by delivering non-intermittent and clean electricity to the area.
“I am sure that this project will pave the way to new partnership opportunities as HDF Energy is currently developing its pipeline of projects across Mindanao. As we must now address major challenges such as climate change thus it is particularly adequate to suit the needs and the geography of Southern Philippines,” she said in her message.
The facility, which has an estimated cost of $50 million, is planned to be built on a 50-hectare property in Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay.
MinDA chair Secretary Maria Belen Acosta said the signing of the MOC signals the strengthened commitment of the local government to ensure the success of the said energy project for the OLTAMA Development Alliance and the rest of the Zamboanga Sibugay.
“Aside from this project, there are more coming for LGUs in Mindanao. Umpisahan natin and later on all these areas in Mindanao that really need power will be connected and will have their own and hindi na tayo kailangan na kumonek pa sa major grid because you will have your source of power,” she said.
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