Costplus Showcases Energy Innovations at Philippines–India CEO Roundtable

At the Philippines–India CEO Roundtable led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Anand Mahtani, founder and president of CostPlus Inc., was among the select business leaders invited to present their projects and vision for bilateral cooperation.

The event, hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), gathered senior cabinet officials from both countries alongside top CEOs to discuss trade, investment, and technology collaboration. President Marcos’s delegation included secretaries from trade, finance, ICT, and health, signaling the broad scope of cooperation being pursued.

In his remarks, Mahtani detailed CostPlus Inc.’s impact in the Philippines. Working with the University of the Philippines and the National Electrification Administration, the company has electrified more than 45,000 off-grid homes and powered schools, one of which President Marcos personally inaugurated.

Looking ahead, Mahtani said the company is targeting 2,000 schools and 300,000–400,000 homes, while also interconnecting communities with eco-cooking solutions and clean water access.

“It’s not just about lighting up houses,” Mahtani said. “It’s child development, women development, health development — it’s overall development in the off-grid communities.”

A World-First Model

Mahtani emphasized that CostPlus is building the world’s first fully connected off-grid utility system, integrating energy, clean water, and digital connectivity. He noted this aligns directly with President Marcos’s goal of lighting up one million homes, as outlined in his State of the Nation Address.

Hydrogen and Carbon Innovation

The CostPlus founder also unveiled the company’s move into hydrogen mobility. He proudly announced the launch of the world’s first hydrogen-powered motorcycle, presented earlier through a DTI showcase in Hong Kong.

“Kawasaki doesn’t have it. Toyota doesn’t have it. We have it,” Mahtani said, presenting the bike as a Philippine innovation with global potential.

He further explained that CostPlus is developing a fintech platform to capture and digitize carbon credits from its clean-energy projects, returning the benefits directly to local communities.

Philippines as a Global Model

Closing his address, Mahtani reflected on the Philippines’ potential to lead globally in sustainable development:

“What we are doing in the Philippines can be replicated in India, and there is so much from India that can be brought here. The synergies can be fabulous,” he said.

Significance of the Invitation

President Marcos’s invitation of Anand Mahtani to address the CEO Roundtable underscored CostPlus’s role in advancing the Philippines’ development agenda. Mahtani’s presentation positioned the Philippines as not only a market for innovation but also a source of world-first solutions in off-grid electrification, hydrogen mobility, and community-driven sustainability.