PARIS, France – With a clear objective to advance the Philippines’ renewable energy and energy transition investment agenda, the PNOC participated in the 2026 Paris Renewable Energy Reconnaissance Summit held from January 14–16, 2026.
The high-level Philippine delegation was led by Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales, with PNOC represented by Senior Vice Presidents Atty. Josephine Cassandra J. Cui and Ms. Ma. Rowena C. Raymundo.
The summit, organized by SWEN Capital Partners, convened existing and prospective renewable energy investors interested in the latest trends and developments in the sector. Discussions highlighted investment platforms and energy solutions for hard-to-abate industries, sectors that rely on renewable molecules and cannot be fully electrified, and explored how Europe’s advanced renewable energy technologies may be adapted for deployment in Asia.
On the first day of the summit, PNOC was able to present its strategic thrust and the Philippines’ efforts to drive the energy transition, emphasizing its mandate as the DOE’s energy investment arm. The delegation also engaged in productive discussions on SWEN Capital Partners’ SWIFT III Fund, an investment vehicle focused on renewable molecules and other innovative decarbonization solutions, including their potential applications in the Asian market.
The delegation likewise participated in a technical site visit to the Sustainable Fuel Plant (SFP) Zeeland facility in the Netherlands, one of Europe’s largest anaerobic digestion plants. The facility currently operates at a capacity of 4,000 Nm³/h, expanded from its previous 2,500 Nm³/h capacity. The site visit provided DOE and PNOC with valuable insights into operational, environmental, and sustainability considerations relevant to the potential development of similar large-scale facilities in the Philippines.
Beyond technical learning, the mission also strengthened institutional and diplomatic ties. The Philippine delegation conducted a courtesy visit to the Philippine Embassy in Paris, meeting with Minister and Consul General Noemi Diaz and Commercial Advisor Katrina Banzon. The team also held a high-level dialogue at the Palais de l’Élysée with Victoire Vandeville, Special Advisor on Investment Promotion. These engagements focused on deepening bilateral energy cooperation and fostering long-term investment partnerships between France and the Philippines.
The technical and investment mission delivered essential first-hand exposure to established European operating models, policy structures, and financing mechanisms for the advancement of clean energy in the Philippines. It reinforced PNOC’s broader strategy to mitigate technical and market risks in the evaluation of emerging energy transition pathways.
PNOC’s participation in the summit was undertaken within the framework of an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PNOC and Ofi Invest Group signed on December 12, 2025, which establishes a platform for exploring collaborative opportunities in renewable energy and related technologies.
