U.S., Manila want more deals on energy security, supply
ENERGY Secretary Sharon Garin (7th from left) and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright (2nd from left) met in Washington on 15 October to discuss expanded cooperation on liquefied natural gas, coal, geothermal and nuclear energy, as well as strategic petroleum reserves and natural hydrogen.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF DOE
The Philippines and United States governments are exploring ways to expand its deal on energy security and indigenous power supply following the meeting of Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Sharon Garin met with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright recently in Washington, DC.
The meeting on 15 October held at the US Department of Energy offices, covered potential cooperation on liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal, geothermal and nuclear energy, as well as strategic petroleum reserves and natural hydrogen.
“Our priority is to ensure a secure, reliable, and affordable energy supply for Filipino families and businesses. Strengthening our partnership with the United States will help us diversify our energy sources, develop indigenous resources, and build the technical capabilities needed to support our long-term energy security,” Secretary Garin said.
In terms of fuel security, Garin and Wright checked potential cooperation on strategic petroleum reserves, including opportunities for the Philippines to draw on US experience in emergency oil stockpiling and preparedness for international supply disruptions.
Further, the discussions also covered nuclear energy cooperation under the Philippines–US Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, commonly known as the 123 Agreement, which was signed in 2023 and entered into force in 2024.
Both sides discussed initiatives supporting the Philippines’ preparations for nuclear power development, including the US Department of State’s Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology program, which supports technical and institutional capacity-building for safe and responsible nuclear energy development.
The two officials also discussed a US Trade and Development Agency-backed reverse trade mission aimed at connecting Philippine officials and industry representatives with US nuclear technology providers and experts in financing, regulation, and workforce development.
During his last State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that his government is considering revisiting nuclear energy production amid the skyrocketing price of power in the country, as nuclear energy is now being used in the fields of medicine, agriculture, water filtration, and the upcycling of plastic.
He then expressed confidence in the capacity of nuclear power to reinforce Philippine energy security and bring down the cost of electricity in the country.
On indigenous energy development, the meeting explored opportunities in geothermal energy and natural hydrogen, including Koloma’s native hydrogen exploration activities in the Philippines and their potential contribution to the country’s long-term energy diversification efforts.
The DoE continues to pursue international partnerships that strengthen the country’s resilience against energy supply disruptions, support the responsible development of domestic resources, and expand access to reliable and affordable energy.