DOTC, Aboitiz unit get US grants to boost power, transport systems

The United States Trade and Development Agency has awarded two separate “major grants” to Aboitiz Power Corp. and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), to help the country build more modern and sustainable power and transport infrastructure systems.

In a statement, the USTDA said the grant for Aboitiz Power will help the company develop a smart grid roadmap and implementation plan for the Visayas.

More specifically, this technical assistance, which will be undertaken by the Virginia-based Esta International LLC, will help Aboitiz Power minimize distribution losses that usually add to the cost of electricity, and improve customer access to stable and reliable power.

“[The] implementation of the recommendations developed through this project will result in improved access to reliable power and minimize power loss in the distribution network. We are pleased to work with Aboitiz Power, which manages distribution utilities throughout the Philippines, ensuring that the benefits of the assistance will be widespread,” said USTDA director Leocadia I. Zak, who visited the Philippines to award the grant.

Antonio Moraza, chief operating officer of Aboitiz Power, was quoted as saying that “through the smart grid system, we will be able to optimize assets and operating efficiency; provide quality power to customers; enable more active customer participation; and isolate problems before they escalate into wider power interruptions especially during calamities.”

Aboitiz Power is one of the biggest power companies in the Philippines with interests in power generation, distribution, retail and power services. It also has several hydroelectric and geothermal assets in its generation portfolio as well as nonrenewable power plants. The company also owns distribution utilities operating in high-growth areas across the country.

Meanwhile, the USTDA said it also awarded a grant Monday last week to the DOTC for the conduct of assessments regarding the security vulnerabilities at three major airports in the Philippines. This technical assistance will help Philippine airport operators maintain safe environments and foster commercial activity, tourism, regional economic integration and foreign investment, the agency further explained.

Transportation Undersecretary Rene K. Limcaoco reportedly highlighted the project’s timeliness, as the Philippines is currently working on modernizing its airports and upgrading its aviation safety and security procedures in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit being held in Manila in 2015.

The USTDA has since been helping companies create jobs in the US through the export of US-produced goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. The USTDA links US-based businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions while creating sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries.

This is why the agency has been actively supporting key transportation, energy and telecommunications projects, which have already led to over $1 billion in US exports.