GE helps fuel growth of local energy sector

MANILA, Philippines - Consistent with its track record of making important contributions to the lives of Filipinos with breakthrough and innovative products and services, GE Energy Philippines remains at the forefront of meeting the energy requirements of individuals, commerce, and the country as whole.

From Steam Turbines To Smart Grid Solutions

GE Energy brought the earliest steam turbines to the Philippines. The company prides itself on having supplied generation equipment in the country longer than other power-generation manufacturers.

“This legacy has continued with the supply of steam turbines in Quezon Power and EDC, and the landfill waste-to-energy gas engines of Bacavalley Energy in Laguna. GE also currently supplies most of the bio-gas engines in the country,” says John Alcordo, country executive for GE Energy, Philippines. “From power generation all the way to kilowatt-hour meters that are manufactured by GE in the country, we provide the technology and expertise to ensure the most efficient delivery and management of electrical energy from point to point.”

A recent contribution to energy distribution are the Smart Grid solutions that provide consumers with the information they need to more efficiently use their personal energy resources. Working like an “energy Internet,” Smart Grid has a two-way power flow, delivering real-time information and knowledge, and has been positively received by local industry leaders.

Alcordo adds that GE Energy’s diverse technology portfolio has expanded its reach beyond its client base in the power generation, power distribution, food processing, commercial building and mining segments to commercial or industrial facilities that utilize energy or water.

In the area of water solutions, GE’s recent water process infrastructure technology ensures that oil refineries, geothermal plants, solar panel manufacturers to fruit growers have consistent access to the high-quality processed water.

Shedding Light On Energy Concerns

The Philippines is currently facing some pressing water and energy issues. “Our country has the highest power rates in Asia, which is affected by island grids having inefficient power distribution. Add to this the increasing water table shortages, and there you have the biggest energy and water resource concerns. It is in these very areas that GE Energy is in a position to solve these problems,” Alcordo explains.

In particular, the high cost of energy in the country has been a pressing national concern. “By bringing our diverse portfolio of power generation, water process treatment, energy management and oil and gas solutions to the country, we can significantly bring improved utilization of energy and water resources, and help utilities translate these cost savings to consumers,” he explains.

Alcordo also says that while there has been a lot of focus on the supply side of the energy equation, demand-side management, if well done, can also provide dramatic results. He emphasizes the usefulness of Smart Grid solutions to help eliminate large amounts of wasted energy. 

“The use of electric vehicles (EVs) will also be an important mode of transportation in the future,” he added. “However, the country can accelerate this reality by providing incentives for private enterprise to build the infrastructure for public electric vehicles and fast charging stations.”

GE’s commitment to work hand in hand with the country in addressing various energy concerns was strongly manifested during the recent visit of GE vice chairman and president and CEO of Global Growth and Operations, John Rice, who was in the Philippines to further strengthen GE partnerships in nationwide development, banking on the strength of GE’s innovative technology and services. Meanwhile, another GE executive, region president for GE Energy, Asia, Kenji Uenishi, met with GE customers and local business leaders to discuss new technologies and solutions in the Philippine energy industry. Their visits vividly reflected the importance of the Philippines in GE’s global business landscape.