Manila, Philippines – 11 April 2025 – Hydrogène de France (HDF Energy), a leading force in large-scale  green  hydrogen  infrastructure  and  high-power  fuel  cell  manufacturing, has  signed  a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Philippines’ Department of Transportation (DOTr), witnessed by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). This strategic partnership aims to accelerate  the  deployment  of  HDF’s  Renewstable®  hydrogen  power  plants  in  the  country,delivering continuous, renewable electricity to public power grids and producing green hydrogen to help decarbonise heavy maritime and rail transport.

This MoU represents a major milestone in the country’s transition toward sustainable energy generation and decarbonized transportation. The event was held at the Manila residence of Her Excellency Madame Marie Fontanel, French Ambassador to the Philippines and Micronesia, in conjunction with the official visit of the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Lauren Saint-Martin. It also gathered top Philippines and French officials, highlighting the strong bilateral commitment to climate innovation and energy transition.

Under the MoU, the parties have committed to facilitating the exchange of information and collaboration necessary for the development of green hydrogen infrastructure  in provinces  where  HDF  Energy Philippines will develop,  construct,  and  operate  its  hybrid  Renewstable® power plants, presenting a green alternative to conventional diesel fuel power plants. The distinctive feature of these plants lies in their  ability  to  provide  baseload  non-intermittent renewable power, day and night, to the provinces’ electric grids, by combining an intermittent renewable energy source (solar or wind) with substantial on-site energy storage in the form of green hydrogen.

Thanks to economies of scale, HDF Energy can produce additional green hydrogen, at an optimised marginal cost as fuel for HDF’s  high-power fuels cells that could propel future hydrogen-powered maritime vessels and locomotives, supporting the Philippine’s transition to sustainable transportation.

HDF Energy is advancing the development of up to 15 Renewstable® power plants across the country, representing a potential investment of USD 1.5billion. In 2024, HDF Energy reached a significant milestone by signing a MoU with the Department of Energy and the Mindanao Development Authority.

This agreement laid the groundwork for collaborative research and development in cutting-edge technologies aimed at harnessing renewable energy and locally produced green hydrogen. The initial focus of the partnership was to support sustainable energy applications across key regions of the country.

Secretary Vince Dizon of  the Department of Transportation signed the document, together with Mr. Mathieu Geze, President Director of HDF Energy Philippines and Director of HDF APAC, and Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro, the Deputy Executive Director of the Mindanao Development Authority, representing Secretary Leo Tereso Magno. The document was witnessed by French Ambassador Madame Marie Fontanel, Mr. Laurent Saint-Martin, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, DOTr Undersecretary Timothy John Batan, and Mr. Bernard A. Tuanquin as the Business Development Director of HDF Energy Philippines.

Atty.  Villamor  Ventura  "Bong"  Plan,  Department  of  Transportation  Assistant  Secretary  for Maritime, stated: “This MoU between DOTr, DOE, MinDA and HDF Energy will expedite the exchange of vital information and support that will facilitate the development of infrastructure for the application of hydrogen fuel and other innovative technologies in the maritime sector, especially in the use of green hydrogen to propel maritime vessels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

In a statement, Secretary Magno lauded: “The French company HDF for expanding the scope of its green hydrogen energy project being piloted in Mindanao, to now include hydrogen technology for transport. We envision a better connected and resilient Mindanao, and the plan of HDF to build green hydrogen infrastructure for renewable energy and to power maritime and rail transport strategically aligns with MinDA's overall agenda of Building a Better Mindanao."

Mr.  Mathieu  Geze,  President  Director  of  HDF  Energy  Philippines  and  Director  of  HDF  APAC, declared: “This  partnership marks a  pivotal step in bringing sustainable, baseload energy to the Philippines. We  are  proud to support  the country’s transition toward energy security and low-carbon maritime and rail transportation. With the support of the DOTr, DOE, and MinDA, HDF  Energy is committed to developing innovative hydrogen infrastructure and technologies with tangible benefits to communities across the Philippines.”

ABOUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is the primary policy, planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and administrative entity of the executive branch of the government on the promotion, development and regulation of a dependable and coordinated network of transportation systems, as well as in the fast, safe, efficient and reliable transportation services.

As one of the first government agencies established under the Malolos Constitution on January 21, 1899, the DOTr plays a crucial role in accelerating the country’s economic development. It provides the backbone for growth and enhances the country’s competitive edge by providing effective and efficient transportation infrastructure systems that narrow the geographical and physical divide, connecting the country, its islands, and its people to the rest of the world.

ABOUT HYDROGÈNE DE FRANCE (HDF Energy)
HDF  Energy  is  a  leading  global  player  in  the  hydrogen  industry,  dedicated  to  developing  large-scale hydrogen infrastructure and advanced multi-megawatt fuel cell technology.

These fuel cells generate electricity from hydrogen, driving the decarbonization efforts across the power generation, heavy maritime and rail mobility sectors. Set to commence mass production in 2025 at HDF Energy’s facility near Bordeaux, these fuel cells serve as the cornerstone of the power plants and heavy mobility solutions developed by HDF Energy.

HDF  Energy's  Renewstable®  power plants  deliver non-intermittent  renewable,  stable  and  baseload power by seamlessly integrating intermittent renewable energy sources with substantial on-site energy storage in the form of green hydrogen. HDF Energy is also developing extensive infrastructure for the mass production of carbon-free hydrogen.

Backed by a team of over 150 hydrogen experts boasting more than a decade of operational experience across the value chain, HDF Energy is currently developing a portfolio  of advanced  projects  valued  at  over  €3  billion.

Headquartered  in  France,  HDF  Energy  has  regional  offices  in  Latin  America,  the  Caribbean,  Asia,  Africa,  and Oceania with 35+ nationalities among its staff. Since 2021, the Group has been listed on the Euronext Paris stock market.