Hydrogen power plants that will help supply electricity are set to be built in some areas in Mindanao.

A French investor together with the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) and representatives of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Zamboanga City have signed a memorandum of cooperation for the construction of hydrogen power plant in the three areas.

The facility will use water to generate electricity.

Compared to other energy sources like coal and fossil fuel, the facility is said to be a clean source of power as it will not emit greenhouse gases that destroy the environment.

The local governments of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Zamboanga City are hopeful that this project will address the power problem.

The project is also seen to boost the local economy of these areas.

“When Siargao boomed, there are a lot of establishments already. We cannot provide them the power supply that it requires so we need this project and development for Surigao del Norte,” Surigao del Norte Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rise Recabo, said.

“In Agusan del Sur, we also have similar problems. Power has been intermittent and we are on a trajectory of growth. We’ve seen a lot of developments in Agusan del Sur. Our governor is really supportive of green energy,” Dr. Trisha Goloran of Agusan del Sur added.

Zamboanga Ecozone administrator, Dr. Raul Regondola, said the project will also reduce the electricity cost in the city.

“It will reduce electricity cost and also it will generate employment in our locality,” Regondola said.

MINDA said the same facility will also be established in 10 other areas in Mindanao.

“Tutulungan natin sila hanapan ng solusyon. It comes in different ways like in the identification of the land, in dealing with the land owners, with different government agencies na nagbibigay ng permits sa kanila,” MINDA Secretary Leo Magno said.

A study will be conducted first before the construction of the project starts.