Tag: Aboitiz

Nuclear Power is the Next Step for the Philippines

Nuclear Power is the Next Step for the Philippines

carlocarrasco

As the Philippines continues to use energy from renewable sources, it is also gradually moving forward to adapting nuclear power for its energy needs which was confirmed by the secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), according to a news article by BusinessMirror.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessMirror news article. Some parts in boldface…

THE Philippines maintains aggressive targets to shift its energy portfolio toward green power. To provide clean, stable baseload power generation that complements renewables, the country has stepped on the gas to advance its nuclear goals.

“I think nuclear is the next step because we are already maturing on renewables and it’s difficult to be dependent on imported fuel. That’s really very painful for us when things don’t go well around the world,” said Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin in an interview.

The energy chief is leading the Philippines’ push to integrate nuclear energy into the national power mix, targeting 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear capacity by 2032 and scaling up to 4,800MW by 2050. This timeline is heavily anchored on the commercial rollout of small nuclear reactors (SMRs). The agency is looking at locations including Bataan, Batangas, Masbate, Pangasinan, Palawan, and Camarines Norte as potential nuclear sites.

“All the companies are interested: Meralco, Aboitiz, San Miguel, Prime Infra. All of them are interested because they know that with nuclear, it’s not a matter of if, but when,” said Garin, adding that since the law does not allow the government to be involved in the power generation, “maybe the government can have a minimal stake only.”

Meralco’s power generation arm, Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN), agrees that nuclear power provides a reliable, low-carbon baseload source that reduces exposure to volatile global fossil fuel prices.

“As I said, it’s an option, right? And if you really want energy independence with a baseload profile, then nuclear is one of the clear options,” said MGEN president Emmanuel Rubio in an interview.

The Pangilinan-led Meralco is among the major industry players driving this transition. It has engaged a US-based engineering firm, Sargent & Lundy, and AMH Philippines, Inc. to conduct a feasibility study on deploying SMRs in the Philippines.

The comprehensive study is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027. The study marks the next step in the $2.8-million technical assistance program funded by the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) also agreed to pursue joint pre-feasibility studies, information sharing, and capacity-building activities related to nuclear technologies.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will succeed in achieving its nuclear goals over the next several years? Are members of your local community still afraid of nuclear power?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

SBMA and Subic EnerZone Renew Power Distribution Partnership for Another 25 Years

SBMA and Subic EnerZone Renew Power Distribution Partnership for Another 25 Years

carlocarrasco

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced that its power distribution partnership with Subic EnerZone has been renewed for another twenty-five years which ensures reliable electricity in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone that varied businesses and thousands of customers need. It should be noted that Subic Bay has economic and logistic roles in Pax Silica and the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

AboitizPower-led Subic EnerZone Corp. has renewed its power distribution partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), extending its management of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone’s distribution system for another 25 years.

Subic EnerZone has operated the Freeport’s power distribution system since October 2003.

As of Feb. 28, 2026, it served more than 3,750 customers, including industrial and commercial locators, residential customers, and streetlights. The utility also serves industrial locators under the Retail Electricity Supply program.

At the end of 2025, Subic EnerZone reported system losses of 4.37 percent, below the 5.50 percent ceiling set by the government for private distribution utilities.

“Subic has always been a place of possibility—a Freeport where businesses grow, industries connect, and communities build better lives. As Subic Bay Freeport moves into its next chapter, reliable electricity will remain essential to that progress. It supports the daily work of locators, the services people depend on, and the opportunities that continued investment can bring,” said Anton Mari G. Perdices, chief executive officer for distribution utilities at AboitizPower.

“For AboitizPower Distribution Utilities and Subic EnerZone, this partnership carries a clear responsibility: to plan alongside SBMA, strengthen the systems that serve the Freeport, and prepare for its changing needs. That work calls for practical planning, close coordination, and a long-term view of reliability and growth,” he added.

Jay Navarro, Subic EnerZone’s officer-in-charge president and general manager, said the utility plans to pursue system upgrades and reliability improvements to support SBMA’s vision of a modern, resilient, and future-ready economic hub.

“Looking ahead, we are ready for Subic’s growth. Our demand and capacity forecasts project a steady rise in power needs. With Subic’s position as the Global Gateway of the Luzon Economic Corridor, these forecasts will change significantly, and we are prepared for it,” Navarro said.

At the renewal ceremony, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Engr. Eduardo Jose Aliño outlined the agency’s strategic direction and upcoming development plans. He said reliable energy infrastructure is essential to strengthening investor confidence and sustaining economic growth in the Subic Bay Freeport.

“Today, we renew our commitment to a partnership that has served Subic Bay well—SBMA and Subic EnerZone working together to modernize our infrastructure, keep the power on, and build a more sustainable Freeport,” Aliño said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the increase of incoming shipments of electric vehicles at the Subic Bay port will somehow create new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs as well as customers?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

At least 4 more airports expected to be privatized in 2025

At least 4 more airports expected to be privatized in 2025

carlocarrasco

Recently the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that at least four more airports are expected to be privatized in 2025, according to a BusinessWorld news report. Clearly the recent privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) sparked a wave of change with regards to air travel and the need to modernize airports.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from BusinessWorld report. Some parts in boldface…

AT LEAST four more Philippine airports in the countryside are expected to be privatized in 2025, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said last week.

“For next year, we have Iloilo, Puerto Princesa and Kalibo [airports],” Transportation Undersecretary Roberto C.O. Lim told reporters on the sidelines of an aviation forum. “We have ongoing negotiations with the proponents.”

The agency also expects to launch the competitive tender for the Davao International Airport under a public-private partnership (PPP) program.

Villar-led Prime Asset Ventures, Inc. holds the original proponent status for both P14.7-billion Iloilo International Airport and P10.24-billion Puerto Princesa International Airport, according to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center website.

Meanwhile, Mega7 Construction Corp. has submitted an unsolicited proposal to operate, upgrade and maintain the P3.62-billion Kalibo International Airport.

Mr. Lim said the government expects to award the contract for the operations and maintenance of New Bohol-Panglao International Airport this year. The contract is undergoing a Swiss challenge, which allows other companies to submit alternative proposals that the original proponent can match.

In September, the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group got the contract for the operations and maintenance of the P12.75-billion Laguindingan International Airport in Northern Mindanao.

Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. is expected to sign the contract this month, the Transportation department said, adding that the new private operator would take over operations by next year.

The same company also holds the original proponent status for the operations and maintenance of the P4.5-billion Bohol airport.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you approve of having more airports nationwide to get privatized? Do you have any concerns about the private entities mentioned in the report that want to privatize the other airports?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673