In a bid to enhance its infrastructure, the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority has entered negotiations with several power companies to establish an electricity distribution system for its Casiguran economic zone.
The authority’s president and chief executive officer explained that the proposed arrangement would mirror the distribution utility agreements already in place at New Clark City and other Philippine Economic Zone Authority‑registered sites.
Interest from two domestic renewable energy firms and a U.S. clean‑energy company has also been expressed, signaling potential projects within the Aurora ecozone.
Establishing reliable power infrastructure is viewed as a decisive factor that could attract additional investors to the region.
APECO is pursuing clean‑energy investments to support its collaboration with a Japanese‑backed telecommunications firm, which plans to build a backbone network in Casiguran.
The availability of clean power is crucial for data centers that manage artificial intelligence and high‑performance computing workloads, with one prospective client requiring up to 300 megawatts.
Beyond data centers, the deployment of renewable energy would benefit sectors such as fisheries, cold‑chain logistics, manufacturing, port and transportation services, tourism, and national defense.
During a recent investment mission to Malaysia, APECO discussed renewable projects with a major energy company active across Asia, while a meeting with a Singapore‑based firm is set to finalize a contract later this month.
The agreements are expected to be signed in August, marking a significant step toward the zone’s energy goals.
The 496‑hectare Casiguran ecozone lies approximately 357 kilometers northeast of Manila, and APECO is also developing a seaport, airport, railway, and road network to position the area as a Pacific transshipment hub.
Over the past three years, the authority has attracted investment pledges totaling 18 billion pesos, covering renewable energy, tourism, cold storage, agri‑processing, and skills training initiatives.
