ACEN open to energize Pax Silica

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala-led ACEN Corp. is open to energizing a US-led Pax Silica hub in Tarlac, an artificial intelligence (AI)-focused industrial enclave, with its top official stressing the need for careful planning given the complex’s massive electricity demand.

“Yes, of course. We’ve had preliminary discussions before but nothing too advanced,” Eric Francia, ACEN president and CEO, told reporters.

READ: Pax Silica’s mammoth power needs draw Maharlika, foreign interest

The Department of Energy (DOE) said it is drafting a circular on how to power Pax Silica, an AI hub expected to host high-tech facilities, including data centers.

The government has designated a 1,620-hectare site in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac for the project. It is expected to require at least 3 gigawatts of power.

DOE undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said embedded generation—building plants onsite—is the easiest way to energize the hub.

Francia said wind is limited in the area, while solar would require vast land. Connecting the hub to the national grid is another option, he said.

READ:50 firms keen on PH ‘Pax Silica’ hub

“We just have to make sure the grid connects to the AI data center hub. That needs to be planned out well, so that the locators there will be able to draw power from it,” he said.

“But as I said, we need to be very careful because we don’t want that high load demand to cannibalize what would have gone to the general consumers. So that’s where the policy should be defined,” the ACEN official said. /pai INQ