The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) has thrown its support behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘s energy sector reforms, vowing to help tackle persistent access, affordability, and reliability issues in off-grid areas through renewable energy solutions.

APECO President and CEO Gil Taway IV welcomed the President’s renewed focus on energy reforms during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), especially the call to address the plight of over three million Filipino households still living without electricity, the Philippine News Agency reports.

“This is not uncommon in the province of Aurora, where families in remote areas continue to live without electricity,” said Taway. “Such conditions discourage investors from locating and establishing businesses, despite the existence of an economic zone.”

Taway said APECO is responding by prioritizing renewable energy (RE) development within its zone in Casiguran, Aurora, leveraging the area’s natural potential for solar, wind, and hydropower.

He underscored APECO’s role in supporting the national target of increasing RE’s share in the power mix to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

Among APECO’s key initiatives is a 16.8-megawatt solar project to be developed by Pacific Impact, which aims to improve power access and reliability in the area.

“This project not only strengthens APECO’s energy infrastructure but also signals our readiness to become a viable investment destination,” Taway said.

“As we rebrand the ecozone as the Fishing Capital of the Pacific and the country’s first national defense hub, reliable and clean power becomes even more critical,” he added.

What are your thoughts on APECO’s pivot to renewable energy and its role in regional energy development? Join the conversation.

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Photo credit: PNA