Skip to main content

UAE and Phillipines $15 Billion Renewable Energy Stretches Into Geothermal

The Philippines and Masdar Energy Deal: A Game-Changer in the Renewable Energy Landscape with Geothermal Potential

By:Robert Buluma

In a groundbreaking move, the Philippines has joined forces with Masdar, the renewable energy giant from the UAE, in a bold partnership that promises to reshape its energy sector. Signed on January 15, 2025, this historic agreement sets the stage for the development of up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with ambitious plans to scale up to a staggering 10 GW by 2035. While solar and wind dominate the headlines, there’s a quiet opportunity emerging in the shadows: geothermal energy, a resource that could redefine the future of this collaboration. 

A $15 Billion Green Revolution  

With an estimated $15 billion in investment, this deal underscores the Philippines' commitment to sustainable growth and energy security. The country aims to increase its renewable energy share in the power generation mix from 22.8% in 2022 to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040. The deal promises not just cleaner energy but also thousands of jobs, a stronger economy, and a brighter, greener future.  

However, while solar and wind are center stage, the Philippines boasts significant geothermal potential, thanks to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Could this partnership with Masdar be the catalyst that unlocks the untapped power beneath its surface?  Speaking of the Pacific ring of fire, we reported earlier on how Masdar was out to give companies a run of their money in this Geothermal rich treasure trove. It's a no brainer the desert eagle wasnt mincing a word.

The Untapped Geothermal Goldmine  

Geothermal energy is one of the Philippines' most underutilized treasures. As the world's third-largest geothermal energy producer, the country has a proven track record of harnessing heat from the earth. Yet, there remains vast untapped potential across its archipelago, with regions like Mindoro, Leyte, and Bicol offering promising prospects.  

Masdar, with its global expertise, has already invested in geothermal projects in Indonesia through Pertamina Geothermal Energy, A company that is already iconic in the Indonesian Geothermal power play Could this be a stepping stone for the UAE-based company to bring its expertise to the Philippines’ geothermal sector?  

The Implementation Agreement with the Department of Energy (DOE) opens doors for pre-development activities, including technical studies, obtaining permits, and securing rights. This framework could easily be adapted to include geothermal exploration and development, aligning perfectly with Masdar’s track record in clean energy innovation.  

Beyond Solar and Wind: Why Geothermal Matters  

Unlike solar and wind, geothermal energy offers consistent, 24/7 power generation. It’s not dependent on weather conditions, making it a reliable backbone for the renewable energy mix. Integrating geothermal with battery energy storage systems (BESS), which are part of the Masdar-Philippines deal, could revolutionize the country’s energy stability.  

The potential for geothermal is not just about electricity; it also extends to direct-use applications like industrial heating, aquaculture, and district cooling. With the DOE's support for clean energy innovations, this partnership could pioneer hybrid renewable energy systems, combining geothermal, solar, and wind in a unique trifecta of sustainability.  

A Bold Vision for 2035  

By 2035, the Philippines and Masdar aim to achieve 10 GW of renewable energy capacity. Imagine a future where geothermal plants hum alongside sprawling solar farms and towering wind turbines, all supported by cutting-edge battery storage systems. This vision is not just ambitious—it’s transformative.  

The Masdar-Philippines deal is more than just an energy agreement; it’s a statement of intent. It’s a declaration that the Philippines is ready to lead Southeast Asia in renewable energy innovation, with geothermal playing a pivotal role.

Final Thoughts  

This partnership marks a new chapter in the Philippines’ energy story. While solar and wind capture the spotlight today, geothermal energy is the silent contender poised to become the backbone of the nation’s renewable energy future.  

We were a little bit skeptical on having oil & gas lead Renewable Energy at the COP but its evident the Masdar leader has turned out so well in Geothermal.

Masdar has already proven its ability to develop groundbreaking clean energy projects worldwide. If this partnership evolves to include geothermal, it could place the Philippines on the map as a global leader in innovative renewable energy solutions.  

The question is no longer whether the Philippines can achieve its renewable energy goals but whether it can unlock the full potential of geothermal energy to exceed them.  

Let this deal serve as an inspiration—not just for the Philippines but for the entire world. As we move toward a more sustainable future, it’s time to dig deeper, quite literally, into the earth’s potential.  

Sources:Phillipines Department of energy on LinkedIn and Meta , Masdar , mb.com

Connect with us:LinkedIn , X

Comments

Hot Topics

Sanko Energi Announces Record-Breaking Discovery: Turkey’s Hottest Geothermal Production Well at 308°C

In a major breakthrough for renewable energy in Turkey, Sanko Energi has announced the successful discovery of what is now being hailed as Turkey’s hottest geothermal production well reaching an astonishing 308 degrees Celsius.  By:  Robert Buluma This record-setting temperature not only underlines the immense potential of Turkey’s geothermal resources but also marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s sustainable energy journey. A New Chapter in Turkey’s Geothermal Revolution Turkey has long been recognized as a geothermal powerhouse, thanks to its unique geological structure and abundant geothermal reservoirs. The discovery of a production well reaching 308°C by Sanko Energi pushes the limits of what was previously thought possible and signals a promising future for the country’s renewable energy sector. Key Highlights of the Discovery: Unprecedented Temperature: At 308°C, this well sets a new record for geothermal production in Turkey. Enhanced Production Potential: ...

Driving the Heat Transition in Hanover with Eavor Technology

  A Climate-Neutral Future for Hanover’s District Heating By: Robert Buluma The city of Hanover is taking a bold step toward a climate-friendly future with the implementation of an innovative geothermal energy project by Eavor in collaboration with enercity.  This groundbreaking initiative aims to cover 15 to 20 percent of Hanover’s district heating needs using cutting-edge Eavor-Loop™ technology, significantly reducing reliance on coal-fired power plants and advancing the city's heat transition goals. The Hanover Geothermal Project: A Game Changer for District Heating Eavor is developing two Eavor-Loops™ in the Lahe district, each with a heat output of 15 MW. Once operational, this system will generate up to 250 million kilowatt hours of geothermal energy annually. This is equivalent to supplying heat for approximately 20,000 homes within the enercity supply area, ensuring a stable, renewable, and climate-neutral energy source. Replacing Coal with Sustainable Geothermal Energ...

JOGMEC Calls for Proposals on Microseismic Technology for Geothermal Exploration

Advancing Geothermal Exploration Through Passive Seismic Techniques By: Robert Buluma The Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) has launched a competitive tender inviting qualified firms to contribute to a groundbreaking technological development project. This initiative focuses on refining microseismic array technology to enhance geothermal exploration, providing a cost-effective and adaptable method for identifying potential geothermal resources. Interested applicants have until April 21, 2025 , to submit their proposals. This initiative is part of JOGMEC’s ongoing commitment to advancing geothermal energy through innovative exploration methods. The project, titled "High-Efficiency High-Density Geothermal Exploration Technology – Development of a New Exploration Method Using Elastic Waves," seeks to optimize the detection of geothermal reservoirs by leveraging passive seismic sources. The Role of Microseismic Technology in Geothermal Exploration Tr...

Geothermal Energy: The Rising Powerhouse in the Clean Energy Transition

The global energy sector is undergoing a radical transformation, with clean, reliable, and sustainable power sources taking center stage. By: Robert Buluma Among these, geothermal energy stands out as an underutilized but highly promising resource that offers baseload power generation with near-zero carbon emissions.   The rise of advanced geothermal technologies has attracted significant investments, especially from big tech companies seeking sustainable energy solutions for their energy-intensive AI data centers. One such company making headlines is XGS Energy, a geothermal startup that recently closed a $13 million equity bridge round and is preparing for a $60 million to $100 million growth round.   This article explores how XGS Energy and other enhanced geothermal system (EGS) startups are revolutionizing the sector, unlocking geothermal energy potential beyond traditional hotspots, and why investors and technology giants are betting big on this clean energy rev...

Ignis Partners with Procubex to Advance Geothermal Exploration in Türkiye

Ignis Awards Drilling Consultancy Contract to Procubex for Geothermal Exploration in Türkiye By: Robert Buluma The global geothermal industry has marked yet another milestone as Ignis awards a prestigious drilling consultancy contract to Procubex for an upcoming deep wells campaign in Türkiye. This contract represents a significant step in Ignis' commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and expanding its geothermal energy portfolio. Procubex: A Leading Geothermal Consultancy Firm Procubex is a renowned engineering consultancy firm specializing in geothermal energy exploration, feasibility studies, project management, drilling operations, and well completion services. With a strong presence across Europe and Türkiye, Procubex has built a reputation for delivering cutting-edge geothermal energy solutions that drive efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Strategic Partnership for Geothermal Development Under this contract, Procubex will provide critical support in managin...

Revolutionizing Renewable Energy: Texas Paves the Way for Closed-Loop Geothermal Innovation

Pioneering the Future of Geothermal Energy: Texas Leads the Way with Closed-Loop Systems By: Robert Buluma Vallourec's closed loop concept North of Houston, a transformative geothermal initiative is reshaping the energy sector. NOV, a key player in drilling and completions technology, has successfully completed an 11,500-foot closed-loop geothermal test well, marking a significant step forward in renewable energy development. This project highlights the growing potential of closed-loop geothermal (CLG) systems to redefine energy production. Ejen it comes to Geothermal,Innovation and Technology is key and we have seen alot of new findings lately. Unlocking New Possibilities in Geothermal Energy Unlike conventional geothermal systems that rely on naturally occurring underground water sources, CLG technology operates using a sealed system. A specialized heat transfer fluid circulates through a continuous loop, absorbing heat from deep underground rock formations and transporting it to...

Fervo Energy’s Potential IPO: A Turning Point for Geothermal Energy

The geothermal energy sector is witnessing a significant transformation , and Fervo Energy is at the forefront of this change.  By: Robert Buluma The innovative geothermal startup, known for integrating oil and gas drilling techniques into geothermal energy production, is considering an initial public offering (IPO) as early as next year. This potential move comes at a time when energy demand from data centers is skyrocketing , driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the ever-expanding digital economy. The global push for clean, reliable, and scalable energy solutions is creating an unprecedented opportunity for geothermal energy to emerge as a mainstream renewable power source . With substantial financial backing, strategic partnerships, and groundbreaking technology , Fervo Energy is reshaping how geothermal energy is developed and deployed. This article explores Fervo’s journey, its technological innovations, the impact of its IPO on the clean energy market...

Vulcan's Electric Rig Set To Extract Upper Rhine Grabens Lithium From Geothermal Brine

Unlocking the Power of Geothermal Brine: Vulcan’s Lithium Revolution By: Robert Buluma Image Credit: Worksite on Unsplash Harnessing Geothermal Brine for a Sustainable Future The demand for lithium is skyrocketing as the world shifts toward electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy. Vulcan Energy is at the forefront of this revolution with its ambitious Phase One project, "Lionheart,"which aims to extract lithium hydroxide monohydrate from deep within the Earth's crust. But what makes Vulcan’s approach groundbreaking?   By utilizing hot, lithium-rich geothermal brine from the Upper Rhine Graben, Vulcan is not just producing lithium but also generating clean energybsetting a new benchmark for sustainable lithium extraction.   Vulcan’s “Lionheart” Project: A Game-Changer for Lithium Production Vulcan Energy’s "Lionheart" project is a pioneering initiative that will produce 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate annually, a critical component for EV batter...

Eavor and SLB Partners To Develop Eavor Loop Technology

Eavor  & SLB : Unlocking a Revolution in Clean Energy Production By:  Robert Buluma Image: The SLB & Eavor Team at Geretsried Imagine a world where energy is not only clean but also consistent, dependable, and accessible worldwide. This vision is becoming a reality, thanks to an innovative partnership between  Eavor Technologies and  SLB (formerly Schlumberger). Together, they are pioneering a groundbreaking approach to harnessing renewable energy, promising to redefine how we produce and consume power and heat. At the heart of this collaboration lies Eavor 's revolutionary technology, the Eavor-Loop™, a closed-loop geothermal system that is unlike anything seen before. The partnership reached a critical milestone recently at Getesried, the home of the first commercial Eavor-Loop™, where the SLB and Eavor teams met to celebrate this transformative project. What Is the Eavor-Loop™? The Eavor -Loop™ is a closed-loop geothermal system that eliminates the tradi...

Green Tech International Powers Up Geothermal Innovation with Successful IPO on Bucharest Stock Exchange

Green Tech International: Powering the Future of Geothermal Energy with a Successful IPO  By: Robert Buluma Bucharest, February 10, 2025 – Green Tech International S.A. (BVB ticker: GREEN), a trailblazer in geothermal energy solutions and the owner of one of Europe’s largest portfolios of deep geothermal wells, has announced the triumphant completion of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. With shares priced at RON 15.00 (approximately EUR 3 per share), the company now boasts a market valuation of RON 1199 million (EUR 241 million). Trading officially kicked off on February 7, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the renewable energy sector.   Geothermal has been mincing companies long money and just recently we showcased how KenGen had surpassed its previous financial rakings with Geothermal being a key factor. This IPO unlocks access to an impressive EUR 135 million Subscription Facility from GEM Global Yield LLC SCS, a leading investm...