Wired by water

The Department of Energy and the Japan International Cooperation Agency have formalized their new technical cooperation project aimed at strengthening the Philippines' renewable energy planning capabilities. The Record of Discussions signed on 9 June, marks the launch of The Project on Resource Inventory of Hydropower Potential Sites, a three-year initiative to be implemented by Department of Energy’s (DoE) Renewable Energy Management Bureau.

The project forms part of the Philippines' broader commitment to energy transition as outlined in the Philippine Energy Plan 2023-2050, which is the government's primary energy roadmap. Among the PEP's key objectives is to increase the renewable energy share in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

Hydropower is a critical element in achieving these targets. Pumped-storage hydropower offers advantages of providing dispatchable grid-stabilizing capacity that can support base and peak load demands.

However, much of the country's hydropower potential remains either underutilized or insufficiently documented.

To address this gap, the DoE and JICA will undertake a comprehensive nationwide inventory of large-scale pumped-storage and impoundment hydropower sites with capacities of over 100MW to identify viable areas for development.

This resource mapping effort will produce a foundational dataset to guide energy policy, infrastructure investment, and private sector engagement in hydropower. It will also contribute to regional planning by providing credible data to other government organizations and local governments.

As part of the agreement, JICA will deploy Japanese experts with specialized experience in hydropower development, who will work closely with DOE officials and staff, offer technical assistance, and lead capacity-development activities.

The training component will include knowledge-sharing sessions in both the Philippines and Japan, contributing to the long-term institutional strengthening of the DoE.

Beyond its technical scope, the project contributes to broader development goals by enhancing energy security, reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports, and expanding access to clean energy. It also supports climate resilience by providing a scientifically grounded basis for renewable energy planning.