ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines – Separated by a strait from the mainland of Zamboanga Sibugay, Olutanga Island is a place of breathtaking beauty, where turquoise waters meet lush green landscapes. But behind its idyllic scenery lies a community grappling with a persistent and crippling energy crisis.
For years, residents have endured daily power interruptions lasting anywhere from two to eight hours, a problem that has stifled growth, disrupted lives, and left many feeling forgotten.
“We have grown accustomed to living our lives in the comfort of the ordinary,” said Joseph Sumayo, brother of the village chief of Barangay Sagay in Talusan town.
But now, a glimmer of hope has emerged in the form of a proposed hydrogen power plant, promising to bring stable and sustainable energy to the island. While the project offers a vision of a brighter future, not everyone is hopeful it will deliver on its promises.
Olutanga’s people and struggles
Life is a constant struggle for the island’s residents.
Many live in modest homes, relying on small-scale farming and fishing to put food on the table. Children walk long distances to reach schools, often studying by candlelight during power outages. Health clinics, already under-resourced, face additional challenges when medical equipment fails due to unreliable electricity.
“It is difficult when power interruption strikes in the middle of maternal delivery,” said a midwife of Mabuhay town health center, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak about the matter.
Flashlights of their mobile phones often help in such situations, she said.
The municipal government has a standby diesel-fed power generator, but there is a delay in activating it after a power outage. Some local businesses also rely on small generators as backup power sources.
The power crisis in Olutanga Island isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a barrier to progress.
Olutanga Island is home to three municipalities: Mabuhay, Talusan, and Olutanga. With a combined population of around 100,000, the island is a close-knit community where life revolves around fishing, farming, and family.
The island’s fertile soil yields coconuts, rice, and corn, while its surrounding waters teem with fish, providing livelihoods for many. Despite its natural bounty, Olutanga remains one of the poorest areas in Zamboanga Sibugay.
All three municipalities are classified as 4th to 5th class municipalities, which means their average annual income ranges from P15 million to P34 million.
Frustration
In the town of Mabuhay, Jill Dulam runs a food and agricultural supply business that has become a lifeline for her family. Her days begin before dawn. But her business, like many others on the island, is at the mercy of the erratic power supply.
“The power situation here is dire,” Jill said, her voice tinged with frustration. Her store depends on electricity to run the refrigerators and other equipment.
“When the power goes out, which happens almost every day, I lose customers and money. It’s really difficult to do business here,” she said.
Jill’s story is a common one on Olutanga Island. From small sari-sari stores to fishing groups, businesses are struggling to survive. The lack of reliable electricity has stifled economic growth, leaving many families trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Challenges and hope
Talusan Mayor Gilbert Edem knows the struggles of his constituents all too well. As the leader of one of Olutanga’s three municipalities, he has witnessed firsthand how the power crisis has impacted his community.
“The power situation here is poor, and it has been for a long time,” Edem said. “Our people deserve better. The frequent outages affect not only businesses but also schools, hospitals, and households. It’s a problem that needs urgent attention.”
Despite the challenges, Edem remains hopeful, and sees the proposed hydrogen power plant as a potential game-changer for Olutanga.
“This is a chance for our island to lead the way in renewable energy,” he said.
The proposed hydrogen power plant will be situated in Barangay Sagay of Talusan town.
The site has already been identified. And the necessary paperwork to purchase the 60-hectare land are underway.
“The provincial government will purchase the land,” the mayor said. Each hectare costs P400,000 – a price too high for remote and mostly idle lands.
This land valuation has triggered for other real estate property in the town to spike, he said.
He acknowledged, however, the process is not a walk in the park.
For one, the municipal government helps the landowners to get their lands titled. So far, three of the seven land owners have their titles.
Another is the demand of relocation for some 41 families who live in the project site.
“Yes, there are hurdles to overcome, but the potential benefits are enormous. If we can make this work, it will transform our island and provide a better future for our children,” he said.
Glimmer of hope
The idea of a hydrogen power plant for Olutanga was first introduced in 2022, during the watch of then-governor Wilter Palma. Palma’s term as governor ended in 2022.
Hydrogen power is a clean and efficient energy source, producing only water as a byproduct.
HDF Energy or Hydrogène de France has signed an important agreement in 2022 with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the Zamboanga Sibugay provincial government, the three municipalities on Olutanga Island, and the Zamboanga del Sur II Electric Cooperative.
The three island municipalities composed the Olutanga, Talusan, and Mabuhay Development Alliance (Oltama) as the project beneficiary.
Mabuhay Mayor Edreluisa Caloñge, who chairs Oltama, said, “It’s about time that we are being discovered. We have a lot of resources to offer. “The only thing that we are lacking is who is going to bridge the gap of having sustainable energy on the island.”
She hopes the project with HDF Energy will finally materialize in partnership with the provincial government and MinDA.
The partnership, according to Mathieu Geze, HDF’s director for Asia and president director of HDF Energy Philippines, aims to explore and develop innovative “renew-stable power plants,” bringing stable and eco-friendly electricity to the region.
The project gained momentum in 2023 when Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Dulce Ann Hofer signed a new memorandum of agreement with HDF Energy, a French company specializing in hydrogen power solutions.
Clean and reliable energy
So, what makes HDF’s “renew-stable” power plants special?
On its website, the company said these cutting-edge facilities generate clean and reliable energy around the clock – without producing any greenhouse gas emissions. They combine solar energy with advanced hydrogen and battery storage systems, ensuring a continuous power supply even when the sun isn’t shining.
For Olutanga, the proposed plant could generate up to 5 megawatts of electricity, enough to meet the island’s energy needs and potentially support future growth. The project aligns with global efforts to transition to renewable energy, offering a sustainable solution to Olutanga’s power woes.
“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with leaders in the Southern Philippines to bring stable, renewable energy to the region,” HDF Energy chairman and CEO Damien Havard said. “This project is a result of careful local engagement and adds to our growing list of major green energy initiatives across Asia and beyond.”
One of the company’s projects in the pipeline is located on Sumba Island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
HDF Energy’s strategic focus on Indonesia is part of its broader expansion in Asia, following initiatives in countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
In the Philippines, the company has announced plans to invest US$1.5 billion in 15 green hydrogen projects across the country, focusing on areas like Mindanao that are isolated from the main grid and rely heavily on diesel-fired power plants.
While these projects are in various stages of development, including some that are still under feasibility studies or awaiting financial closure, the substantial financial commitments and formal agreements indicate that HDF Energy’s plans are progressing. (to be concluded) – 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.