The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) has broken ground on a P290-million underground power distribution line, phases 3 and 4, in a bid to stabilize electricity supply, attract high-value industries, and pave the way for renewable energy projects.
The new UPDL projects are also intended to position the zone as a transshipment hub along the Pacific Coast, according to Apeco President and Chief Executive Officer Gil G. Taway IV, who took over in October 2023.
Apeco will host renewable energy initiatives from future locators, alongside committed power deliveries from energy companies in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE).
National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda led the groundbreaking, thus becoming one of the first national government officials to visit Apeco’s headquarters in Casiguran town of Aurora.
“This expansion of APECO’s electrical distribution system signals the growing momentum of investments and opportunities within this region,” Almeda said.
He described the UPDL expansion as a cornerstone in transforming Apeco into a storm-resilient and future-ready ecozone “where the power system is both efficient and climate-adaptive.”
Pursuing its bid for a transport hub, Apeco has ongoing infrastructure upgrades, including expanded and improved road networks to boost logistics efficiency and enhance the movement of people and cargo.
Meanwhile, the APECO Tourism Properties Unit is reviving idle tourism assets for a much-needed makeover.
The New APECO Villas project, for example, will convert a long-abandoned facility into a revenue-generating hospitality and wellness property as part of the agency’s commitment to legacy locators who have aligned their investments with the zone’s new direction.
