Aboitiz Power Corp. and its partner JERA Co. Inc. of Japan, yesterday inaugurated the companies’ Global Technical Center of Excellence (GTCOE) training facility at the LIMA Estate in Batangas.
The training center aims to be a hub for developing world-class technical talent across both companies to support the broader power generation industry.
The partnership between the two firms began in December 2021 when JERA invested in
Aboitiz Power, but the collaboration expanded in July 2023 with the launch of a talent exchange program focused on enhancing technical expertise in operations and maintenance (O&M).
Aboitiz Power and JERA also reiterated that through reciprocal deployment of engineers to each other’s power plants, the program creates a platform for cross-border learning and knowledge sharing.
Initially, the center will provide O&M education and hands-on training at AboitizPower-affiliated facilities GNPower Mariveles Energy Center and GNPower Dinginin.
Once fully operational, the GTCOE will also function as a platform for technical training and knowledge-sharing, developing well-rounded professionals with strong technical expertise, leadership, adaptability, and interpersonal skills utilizing simulation, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and drones, among others.
Don Paulino, Aboitiz Power Thermal Group Chief Engineering and Projects Officer, told reporters at the sidelines of the event that the first batch of students for the GTCOE will start next week wherein six will come from Aboitiz Power and 12 will be from JERA.
He did not mention the amount involved in establishing and operating the facility, but only described it as worth “millions of pesos.”
Paulino also revealed that the two companies will likely fund the training of qualified students in the programs that are also currently being sought to be recognized by the government for participants to gain Continuing Professional Development points.
These programs are mandated by law for individuals to continue the validity of their professional licenses.
“What we would like to also do is to make sure that we tap some of the universities that’s also in the area where we operate,” Paulino said. “For us, what we want to do is to make it sustainable and also make the people that will be joining Aboitiz and JERA more diverse and sustainable across the regions but also across the timeline that will be working. ”
Aboitiz Power is currently among the largest power producers in the Philippines, and has set a capital expenditure budget of P78.1 billion for this year.
Aboitiz Power, as an entire group has a current growth strategy to add 3,600 megawatts (MW) of new RE capacity to have a total of 4,600 MW worth of RE by 2030 to pair with thermal power plants to support the country’s baseload and peak energy demands and achieve a total portfolio of 9,200 MW for the said period.
Meanwhile, JERA is Japan’s largest power generator and a global energy leader, with capabilities across the entire energy supply chain from participation in liquefied natural gas upstream projects and fuel procurement, through fuel transportation to power generation. Through its subsidiary JERA Asia, it holds approximately 27 percent equity in AboitizPower.
Previously, AboitizPower and JERA also collaborated on initiatives to jointly explore fuel ammonia substitution in coal-fired power plants and the development of hydrogen and ammonia supply chains in the Philippines.
