Masdar Enters Philippines Renewables Market
Projects will support the Philippines National Renewable Energy Program target of 35% renewable energy in power generation by 2030.
Masdar, the UAE's leader in clean energy, has announced its expansion into the Philippines, marking a significant step in its Southeast Asian growth. The company has signed key agreements with the Philippine government to develop 1 gigawatt (GW) of clean energy projects, strengthening its portfolio in the region.
Key Agreements Signed for Clean Energy Development
Masdar has entered into an Implementation Agreement with the Philippines Department of Energy and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Board of Investments of the Republic of the Philippines. These agreements outline the development of solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), with a total capacity of up to 1GW by 2030.
High-Level Ceremony Marks Agreement Signing
The signing ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including HE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, and Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Secretary of Energy of the Philippines. The Implementation Agreement was signed by Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara from the Department of Energy and Masdar’s CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi. The MoU was exchanged between Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver, the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, and Masdar’s CEO.
Supporting the Philippines Energy Transition Goals
This partnership will play a crucial role in the Philippines' Energy Transition Program, aiming for 35% renewable energy in power generation by 2030 and 50% by 2040. The agreement operationalizes the MoU on Energy Transition Cooperation, signed during Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s visit to the UAE in November 2024, which highlighted renewable energy as a priority for collaboration.
HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said: “This partnership marks a new chapter in the longstanding relationship between the UAE and the Philippines. By leveraging the UAE’s world-class expertise in renewable energy and the Philippines’ abundant natural resources, this agreement will create jobs, drive low-carbon socio-economic progress and expand global renewable energy capacity in line with the UAE Consensus.”
Raphael P. M. Lotilla, Secretary of Energy at the Philippines Department of Energy, commented: “Building on the longstanding ties between our nations and the recent Energy Transition Cooperation agreement, we welcome Masdar’s proven leadership and expertise in delivering utility-scale renewable energy solutions. This collaboration will significantly advance our goal of achieving 35 percent renewable energy in power generation by 2030.”
Commitment to a Clean Energy Future
Secretary Lotilla emphasized that the partnership reflects the Philippines' dedication to a clean energy future. By integrating renewable energy on an unprecedented scale, the country is enhancing energy security and laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth and environmental responsibility. The collaboration with Masdar sets a new standard for energy transition in Southeast Asia.
Ceferino S. Rodolfo, Undersecretary at the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry, and Board of Investments Managing Head, commented: “It is inspiring to witness the strengthening of the bilateral relations between our countries, following the visit of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos to UAE last year and a series of reciprocal ministerial missions thereafter.The partnership with Masdar is a testament to our mutual commitment to fostering a dynamic and sustainable economic future, and our shared vision for economic sustainability and prosperity. This aligns seamlessly with the Philippine strategy to position ourselves as a smart and sustainable hub for manufacturing and services in Southeast Asia.”
“The Philippines is making significant strides in the renewable energy sector. Masdar’s own planned renewables projects will contribute to accelerating sustainable economic growth in the different regions in the Philippines, and will especially complement our infrastructure development initiatives within the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) — Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas — which is being developed as an economic hub for commerce, industry, and logistics. The Department of Trade and Industry, through the Board of Investments, will be Masdar’s staunch partner. Together with Masdar, we give our unwavering commitment to fostering a greener and more resilient future for the Philippines.”
Masdar Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, said: “We welcome this announcement as a significant expansion of Masdar’s activities in Southeast Asia, a key strategic market in our ongoing efforts to achieve a renewable energy capacity of 100GW by 2030. With our proven success in implementing large-scale renewable energy projects in the region and worldwide, we look forward to utilizing our expertise and experience to support the Philippines in meeting its ambitious renewable energy goals.”
Masdar's Growing Presence in Southeast Asia
This agreement marks Masdar’s first venture into the renewable energy sector in the Philippines. Southeast Asia is a key area for Masdar’s investments. The company has already developed the largest floating solar facility in Indonesia, the 145MW Cirata Floating Solar PV plant, which powers 50,000 homes. In 2023, Masdar entered the geothermal energy sector with a strategic investment in Pertamina Geothermal Energy and signed a major agreement in Malaysia for the development of 10GW of clean energy projects.
Masdar’s Global Sustainability Vision
Founded in 2006, Masdar has been instrumental in advancing the UAE’s vision for sustainability and climate action. The company has developed and partnered on projects in over 40 countries. Masdar aims to expand its renewable energy portfolio to 100GW by 2030 and become a global leader in green hydrogen production. The company has set a target of producing 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually within the next decade, both in the UAE and globally.
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