The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) have formalized a partnership to advance the country’s energy transition through research, technical cooperation, and policy support for a secure, reliable, and affordable energy system.
DOE Secretary Sharon Garin and ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the sidelines of the 49th ASEAN Summit, establishing a two‑year cooperation framework aligned with the Philippine Energy Plan and the Asia Zero Emission Community initiative.
Under the agreement, the DOE will draw on ERIA’s regional research, technical analysis, and capacity‑building support to translate energy policies into practical strategies that address the country’s rising electricity demand, new energy technologies, and long‑term development needs.
“Every decision we make on energy must ultimately serve the Filipino people through a more secure power supply, reliable electricity services, and costs that households and businesses can afford,” Garin said, adding that the partnership would reinforce the technical basis of national energy policies.
Priority areas include developing long‑term decarbonization pathways and technical studies for the Philippines’ participation in the ASEAN Power Grid, alongside sustainable energy islands and off‑grid systems to expand power access for remote communities.
Both parties will also assess emerging technologies such as hydrogen development, waste‑to‑energy, and small‑scale LNG‑to‑power for diesel‑dependent islands, with ERIA evaluating each option’s feasibility, viability, and suitability for local conditions.
Cooperation extends to low‑carbon mobility, industrial decarbonization, carbon pricing, accounting methodologies, and carbon‑credit generation in the energy sector, with study findings guiding regulatory planning and investment assessment.
Knowledge exchange, training, and capacity‑building for the DOE and local energy stakeholders will support implementation of the Philippine Energy Plan 2023‑2050.
“Our priority is to ensure that the research and technical expertise gained from this cooperation lead to actionable policies and well‑grounded investment decisions, delivering lasting benefits to the Filipino people,” Garin said.
