SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — American clean energy firm Koloma has signed its third exploration contract with the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) to further explore natural hydrogen resources in Western Zambales, marking another milestone in the growing energy partnership between the Philippines and the United States.
The signing expands ongoing efforts to determine the commercial viability of naturally occurring hydrogen deposits in the municipality of San Antonio, where geological formations have drawn international attention as a potential source of clean energy.
“We are excited to announce that American firm Koloma’s third contract to explore natural hydrogen in Western Zambales with the Department of Energy Philippines is signed—a huge step in energy innovation and an important milestone for the United States and the Philippines as #PartnersInProsperity,” U.S. Ambassador Lee Lipton said in a statement.
San Antonio Mayor Dr. Arvin “Dok” Antipolo said the exploration activities are progressing under the supervision of the DOE and its foreign partner, with studies focused on determining whether the natural hydrogen deposit can be developed into a commercially viable source of electricity.
In a recent interview, Antipolo confirmed that the hydrogen gas discovered in the mountainous areas of San Antonio is currently undergoing exploration and production testing by the DOE’s foreign partner.
He also revealed that provincial and national stakeholders continue to work closely on the project. Last month, officials from the DOE and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), together with Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and local stakeholders, convened a stakeholders’ forum at the DOST office to discuss the latest developments and scientific assessments of the project.
According to Antipolo, experts are still evaluating whether the naturally occurring hydrogen reserve has sufficient volume and quality to support commercial production and eventually serve as an alternative source of electricity for the country.
If proven commercially viable, the San Antonio natural hydrogen resource could become one of the Philippines’ first large-scale sources of naturally occurring “white hydrogen,” a clean fuel that produces no carbon emissions when used and is increasingly viewed worldwide as a promising component of the global energy transition.
The project is expected to generate investments, create employment opportunities, and position Zambales as a strategic hub for clean energy innovation while strengthening the long-standing economic and technological partnership between the Philippines and the United States.
Officials said exploration and scientific validation will continue before any decision is made on commercial development, ensuring that the project meets technical, environmental, and regulatory standards.