Philippines Expands Quantum Research Ecosystem with New Energy-Focused Lab

Insider Brief:

• The Technological Institute of the Philippines launched the country’s first quantum computing lab for energy applications, with PHP 18 million in funding from DOST-PCIEERD.

• The Quantum and Intelligent Systems Laboratory for Power Engineering (QISLaP) will develop hybrid quantum models to optimize energy production, distribution, and forecasting.

• The lab builds on DOST-ASTI’s earlier efforts to train researchers through foundational programs in quantum computing under its Quantum Innovation Laboratory.

• QISLaP will support both technical research and collaborative engagement, advancing quantum-informed approaches to national energy challenges.

PRESS RELEASE — The Technological Institute of the Philippines has officially launched the country’s first quantum computing research laboratory focused on applications within the energy sector. The Quantum and Intelligent Systems Laboratory for Power Engineering, located at T.I.P. Manila, was inaugurated on March 21, 2025, with support from the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development.

A National Investment in Quantum for Energy

The PHP 18-million (approximately $314,000) facility was established under the Quantum Research for Industrial Energy Technology (Q-RIEnTe) project and is designed to develop hybrid quantum computing approaches for improving power systems. As noted in a release from the Philippine Information Agency, the lab will focus on using quantum models to improve energy reliability and supply efficiency amid growing demand and rising heat indices.

Research Goals and Collaboration

According to an additional news release from the Philippine News Agency, QISLaP will serve as a research venue for faculty, students, and external collaborators aiming to address challenges in energy production, distribution, and consumption. T.I.P. professor and project lead Gerard Francesco Apolinario said the team will develop hybrid quantum models to forecast key energy metrics, including electricity demand, wind speed, solar irradiance, and electricity prices.

In the context of energy systems, this approach could allow for more efficient optimization and prediction tasks. “Hybrid quantum computing, which combines the strengths of classical and quantum computing, showcases a promising solution to address challenges in the energy sector,” Apolinario stated, as quoted in the Philippine News Agency release.

Institutional Support and National Strategy

According to Philippine News Agency, DOST-PCIEERD Director Enrico Paringit emphasized that QISLaP will serve as “a research ground for experts to create innovative solutions to make energy systems more efficient and more resilient.” TIP President Angelo Lahoz added that the institution remains committed to dedicating laboratory space and collaborative work environments to applied research and special projects.

In comments reported by the Philippine News Agency, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized that the project reflects the agency’s broader strategy to address current energy challenges while establishing a precedent for pursuing long-term resilience and sustainability. He framed the initiative as part of a gradual transformation of the energy industry through the integration of quantum computing.

The lab’s inauguration took place at T.I.P. Manila’s Anniversary Hall and coincided with the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between DOST and the university. As highlighted in the Philippine Information Agency release, the event brought together stakeholders and institutional partners committed to advancing quantum research for national energy resilience.

Building on Quantum Workforce Development

The new lab builds on a series of foundational efforts to establish a sustainable quantum research and training ecosystem in the Philippines. In December 2024, a release from the Department of Science and Technology–Advanced Science and Technology Institute detailed the proceedings a national training program through its Quantum Innovation Laboratory, designed to introduce Filipino researchers to key concepts and tools in quantum computing.

As reported in a prior DOST-ASTI release, the training, titled Quantum 101: Foundational Training in Quantum Computing, was led by experts from QIL’s Quantum Circuit Simulation and Quantum Image Processing research and development projects. The program included sessions on early quantum algorithms, quantum circuit models, and software programming using Qiskit.

By building on workforce development efforts initiated by QIL, the inauguration of QISLaP represents a focused expansion into sector-specific applications. Together, these initiatives reflect a coordinated effort to further establish the Philippines as an active participant in quantum computing. QISLaP will focus not only on technical development but also on information dissemination and training, contributing to the broader adoption of quantum-informed methods in the Philippines.