ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines – The plan sounds ambitious, almost improbable: a French energy firm investing in a cutting-edge hydrogen power plant on a remote island in the Zamboanga Peninsula long plagued by unreliable electricity.
But Hydrogène de France or HDF Energy sees an opportunity where others see isolation. Specializing in bringing renewable energy to remote areas, the company believes Olutanga Island in Zamboanga Sibugay, with its unstable electricity supply, fits the profile.
“Our focus is on delivering consistent, clean, and reliable power to communities that have long struggled with unstable or non-existent electricity,” said Mathieu Geze, HDF’s director for Asia and president director of HDF Energy Philippines.
The project’s implementation hinges on a partnership between HDF Energy and the Zamboanga del Sur II Electric Cooperative (Zamsureco II), which holds the island’s power supply franchise. Government policies encourage such collaborations.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Circular No. DC2004-06-007 promotes private sector participation in rural electric cooperatives through joint ventures, concessions, and management contracts – all aimed at improving financial viability and service delivery in underserved areas.
Olutanga’s geography presents unique challenges. Historically reliant on electricity from the mainland, the island depends on an electric cable stretching across the Canalizo Strait, a one-kilometer-wide waterway.
“The distance by which the electric cable has to cross itself poses loss of energy,” said Engineer Kenneth Albrecht, Zamsureco II’s corporate planning officer.
For Olutanga residents, frequent power fluctuations and outages have long been a fact of life. The hydrogen power project presents a potential solution.
Albrecht said the project could transform the island’s energy landscape while strengthening the power supply across Zamsureco II’s entire franchise area. While the cooperative will retain operational control, HDF Energy will serve as the power supplier, in line with DOE guidelines.
“The energy project does not only promise a reliable power supply but a stable supply of electricity,” he said.
Challenges and skepticism
The hydrogen power project offers hope but has also sparked skepticism among residents.
A major concern is the timeline. HDF Energy estimates four years to complete the project – two years to develop necessary systems and another two to build the facility. For an island suffering daily power interruptions, that feels like an eternity.
Adding to the uncertainty, the project remains in the pre-feasibility study phase. The provincial government has yet to acquire a 60-hectare property needed for the plant, raising doubts about its progress.
“The project is moving,” said Engineer Venancio Ferrer III, the provincial planning officer.
However, beyond the projected four-year timeline, he is unsure when it will finally materialize.
Some critics argue that delays and bureaucratic hurdles could prolong the island’s energy crisis.
Moreover, many residents are unfamiliar with hydrogen power. The lack of public awareness has fueled skepticism.
During a group interview, several villagers referred to a “solar project” instead. “They said the province will build a solar energy plant,” said 50-year-old Mario. “We don’t know when it will happen.”
Some fear the promise of stable electricity may never materialize, leaving the island in the dark once again.
Vision for the future
If implemented successfully, the hydrogen power plant could transform life on Olutanga Island. A stable power supply would revitalize the local economy, allowing businesses to thrive and attracting much-needed investment. Schools and hospitals would no longer operate in the dark, and families could enjoy a better quality of life.
Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Dulce Ann Hofer said, “The Olutanga Island hydrogen power plant project by HDF Energy is a game changer for the socio-economic growth and development of the province. It’s going to change our lives.”
She added that once the power plant is built, it will help alleviate poverty by creating jobs for the island’s residents.
The project is part of a broader strategy to shift Olutanga’s image from a historical pirate haven to a hub for tourism, agriculture, and aquaculture. In collaboration with local stakeholders, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is crafting a master plan to harness the island’s tourism and agro-fishery potential.
MinDA expects that reliable, sustainable energy will drive economic growth, attract investments, and improve residents’ quality of life. The project also aligns with the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) sub-region, which prioritizes reliable energy access.
Talusan Mayor Gilbert Edem said the project could unlock the island’s potential while addressing its long-standing power crisis.
“This is about more than just electricity,” he said. “It’s about giving our people the opportunity to build a better future. It’s about hope.”
Crossroads
The hydrogen power project offers a chance to end years of power shortages, but its success depends on careful planning, timely execution, and community buy-in.
As the clock ticks for Olutanga residents, those in the mainland watch to see if the ambitious project can deliver on its promise of a brighter, more sustainable future. – with reports from Elvie Villarido-Manaytay/Rappler.com
Reporting for this story was supported by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) under the Jaime Espina Klima Correspondents Fellowship.