AboitizPower CEO Emphasizes The Role Of Talent In Driving Decarbonization

In a recent address to the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), Emmanuel Rubio, President and CEO of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), underscored the critical importance of talent in navigating the evolving landscape of the power sector.

In a recent address to the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), AboitizPower CEO Emmanuel Rubio stressed the importance of innovation and talent in driving decarbonization efforts in the power sector. | Photos: AboitizPower

Rubio emphasized that the industry's ability to adapt to challenges and capitalize on opportunities hinges largely on the quality of its workforce and their capacity for learning and innovation.

Rubio acknowledged persistent headwinds to the industry's talent pipeline, citing challenges such as brain drain, labor shortages, competency gaps, and skills mismatches exacerbated by a fiercely competitive global market.

He stressed the need to view talent not merely as technical specialists but as architects of future grids, guardians of the energy supply chain, and masters of harnessing clean energy sources.

"The energy landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift," Rubio remarked. "We are transitioning from a singular focus on fossil fuels to a complex mix of renewables, intelligent grids, and smart technologies."

To sustain this momentum, Rubio emphasized the necessity of a diverse pool of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent.

Ensuring a secure and reliable power supply, a smarter grid, and competent energy stewards is essential for achieving and sustaining energy security, Rubio asserted. This sentiment aligns with the projections of the Energy Department, which anticipates a 6.6% annual increase in electricity demand until 2040.

AboitizPower, under Rubio's leadership, is committed to embracing innovation and digitalization to meet these challenges head-on.

Rubio highlighted the company's strategies for digitalization, decentralization, and decarbonization, including a target of achieving a 50-50 thermal-renewable portfolio mix within the next decade.

Investments in technology play a pivotal role in AboitizPower's vision for the future.

The company's National Operations Control Center (NOCC) allows for centralized monitoring and control of 22 renewable energy facilities, while digital twin technologies enable virtual replication of power plants for fault detection and system optimization.

Additionally, distribution utilities like Visayan Electric and Davao Light are modernizing their infrastructure to improve efficiency and reliability.

Rubio emphasized the collaborative nature of embracing technology and highlighted AboitizPower's commitment to education and talent development. Through partnerships with leading universities, scholarship programs, and training centers, the company aims to nurture a future-ready workforce equipped with diverse skills and perspectives.

“At AboitizPower, we believe in the power of education. We work with leading universities, cultivate scholarship programs, and establish training centers to nurture a future-ready ensemble of talent equipped with diverse skills and perspectives,” Rubio declared.

As the key player in the Philippines' power sector, AboitizPower remains dedicated to its grand-scale vision of uplifting lives and contributing to a better world.

With a balanced portfolio of assets spanning renewable and thermal energy sources, the company is poised to continue its leadership in driving decarbonization and fostering sustainable growth in the years to come.

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