^{Photo credit: Presidential Communications Office}

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said that the privatization of the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan Hydroelectric Power Plants (CBK HEPP) reflects strong investor confidence in the country’s energy sector and supports efforts to improve energy reliability and affordability for Filipinos.

During today’s turnover ceremony in Kalayaan, Laguna, the President said that it demonstrates how strategic public–private collaboration transforms investment in essential infrastructure into reliable, everyday services that people can trust.

“We, in government, continue to strengthen the systems in our energy sector—by improving policies, processes, and partnerships to ensure that energy reliability and affordability are sustained in the long-term,” he said. “Building on the strength of both the public and private sectors, we encourage collaborations that safeguard the public interest while promoting transparency and accountability.”

The CBK complex, one of Luzon’s largest hydropower facilities with an installed capacity of 797 megawatts, includes the Caliraya impounded system, the Botocan run-of-river plant, and the Kalayaan pumped-storage facility. 

The CBK facilities pump water to an upper reservoir using excess power during off-peak hours, and release water to generate electricity when the demand is high, allowing cleaner energy to work reliably at scale. 

Marcos said modernizing the CBK plants will reduce power interruptions for households, limit service disruptions for hospitals and schools, and support productivity for businesses. The President also noted that proceeds from the privatization can be redirected to public priorities such as classrooms, roads, and hospitals.

The CBK facilities were turned over to the Thunder Consortium, composed of Aboitiz Renewables Inc., Japan-based Sumitomo Corporation, and J-Power, following a successful bid of over PHP 36 billion. The ceremony today was also attended by other government representatives and executives of the consortium partners, and witnessed by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya.

How can further public-private partnerships and energy sector upgrades build investor confidence while ensuring reliable and affordable electricity for Filipino households and businesses?

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