Philippines awards third natural hydrogen contract to Koloma

US-based company now holds 3 contracts spanning Central Luzon and western Zambales.

The Philippines is expanding its natural hydrogen exploration programme with the awarding of a third service contract to US-based Koloma, the Department of Energy (DOE) said in a statement.

This comes as Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Service Contract (SC) No. 92, giving Koloma exclusive rights to explore for naturally occurring hydrogen in western Zambales Province.

The newly signed SC builds on two prior contracts awarded in October 2025, following the world's first competitive bid round for natural hydrogen exploration.

The three contracts now cover more than 4,100 square kilometres across Central Luzon and western Zambales.

“Should commercially viable deposits be confirmed, natural hydrogen could become an important addition to the Philippines' future energy mix, strengthening energy security, attracting investments, creating new economic opportunities, and providing a zero-emission fuel source for the power sector,” said Secretary of Energy Sharon S. Garin.

Natural hydrogen, also referred to as geologic or white hydrogen, is an emerging energy resource generated naturally beneath the Earth's surface, the department noted.

“Unlike conventional hydrogen, it does not require industrial production, making it a potentially low-carbon and cost-competitive energy source if discovered in commercially recoverable quantities,” it added.

DOE noted that geological studies have identified the Philippines, particularly parts of Central Luzon, as amongst the world's most promising areas for naturally occurring hydrogen.

Koloma has commenced 2D seismic activities under its first two service contracts and continues to deploy geoscience, proprietary data, and exploration technologies to evaluate the country's natural hydrogen potential.