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U.S. VP commits to partnering with Philippines for geothermal project

U.S. VP commits to partnering with Philippines for geothermal project Steam pipes at Mount Apo, Mindanao Philippines (source: flickr/ penmanila)
Carlo Cariaga 22 Nov 2022

The U.S Trade and Development Agency will be partnering with Energy Development Corporation to develop a new geothermal project in Mindanao, Philippines.

During a trip to the Philippines, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced an initiative to develop a geothermal project in Mindanao in partnership with local developer Energy Development Corporation (EDC). This initiative is part of an overarching program that aims to strengthen the alliance the United States and the Philippines and advance the shared interests of the two countries.

The geothermal project will be done via the U.S Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) which will establish an office in Manila to facilitate investments in the Philippines and the broader Indo-Pacific region from American companies and financiers.

Another initiative is to establish an Energy Policy Dialogue between the U.S Department of Energy and the Philippine Department of Energy. The aim of this initiative is to provide a high-level platform for developing new forms of energy cooperation, including on short and long-term energy planning, offshore wind development, grid stability, and power transmission.

Earlier this year, EDC had expanded the capacity of the Mindanao geothermal site with the addition of 3.6-MW binary power plant. There are several other geothermal projects in the pipeline for the Philippines, including the 20-MW Tanawon power plant and several prospect sites under investigation by PGPC.

Source: The White House and Manila Times