The Department of Energy and the University of the Philippines Statistical Center Research Foundation Inc. has completed the United States-funded Natural Gas Development Plan that will help speed up the expansion of the country's natural power resources.

In a press statement, the DoE said the NGDP, which is part of the documents completed under Phase 2 of the Gas Policy Development Project, was turned over to the DoE on Thursday, 22 September.

"We underscore the importance of developing our natural gas industry. As part of our strategy and ensuring energy security, we need to strengthen our strategies and policies. And while we have an existing Department Circular governing the PDNGI, these documents will aid us in advancing the development of the downstream natural gas industry, including the role of Liquefied Natural Gas in our energy system," DoE Director Rino E. Abad said.

"With the challenges facing the current supply of our natural gas from the Malampaya gas field, this NGDP is also timely in providing prospective investors with guidance and a policy framework, legal requirements, and incentives in putting up LNG facilities and other infrastructure," he added.

The NGDP will guide regulators, policymakers, and investors to expand the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry.

Guide for stakeholders

It contains significant information on the existing legal framework, gas demand outlook, ongoing projects, membership of the Technical Committee on Downstream Natural Gas Standards on Products, Facility, and Code of Practice, way forward plans, and the GPDP technical and research products.

In 2018, the DoE forged an agreement with the UPSCRFI to start the United States-funded GPDP to help the agency prepare policy recommendations that promote clean energy. GPDP 1 was completed and turned over to the DoE on 20 February 2020.

As of December 2021, the DoE has approved the application of six LNG terminal and regasification projects and is seen to start operations between 2023 and 2025. These are FGen LNG Corporation, Linseed Field Corporation, Energy World Gas Operations Philippines, Shell Energy Philippines, Vires Energy Corporation and Luzon LNG Terminal.