The Philippine Embassy in Japan, supported by the ASEAN-Japan Centre, hosted the Seminar and Networking Reception with the Geothermal Industry on 13 March 2018. Deputy Chief of Mission Eduardo M.R. Meez welcomed more than sixty participants from over thirty Japanese organizations and companies. Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V, in his keynote address, offered the Philippines support for Japans efforts in encouraging the use of renewable energy resources, including geothermal energy, following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.
Representatives from the National Geothermal Association of the Philippines (NGAP), Energy Development Corporation (EDC), First Philippine Holdings, and ThermaPrime Drilling Corporation shared their experiences and expertise in utilizing geothermal energy in the Philippines. The Philippines is the second country in the world with biggest installed general capacity. Its technical expertise is comparable to that of New Zealand and Iceland, but is more cost-efficient. The networking reception after the seminar provided an opportunity to discuss collaborative and partnership opportunities between the Philippines and Japans geothermal industries.
