Sandro Aboitiz: A Vision For Sustainable Energy

In the dynamic landscape of renewable energy (RE) expansion in the Philippines, Juan Alejandro "Sandro" A. Aboitiz steps into his role as the Chief Financial Officer of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) with a firm vision for sustainable growth.

CFO Sandro Aboitiz of AboitizPower: Leading the Charge Towards Sustainable Energy Solutions. | Photo: AboitizPower

In a recent television interview, Sandro exudes confidence in the company's trajectory, citing the imminent contributions of new energy projects to the Philippine grid.

"We are on track to deliver our growth aspirations, and obviously if there are opportunities to build more RE (renewable energy) — such as wind, for example — that’s something that we’re always looking to do," Sandro said.

AboitizPower's commitment to decarbonization shines through its ambitious targets, aiming to double its net attributable sellable capacity to 9,200 megawatts over the next decade, evenly split between RE and thermal capacities.

With a keen eye on innovation, the company has identified nearly 1,000 megawatts of RE projects, including the pioneering Cayanga and Laoag solar plants and the Magat battery energy storage project in partnership with Scatec, a Norwegian company that specializes in renewable energy systems.

The transition towards a sustainable energy future demands a balanced approach, as Sandro emphasizes the necessity of maintaining sufficient baseload capacity alongside the expansion of RE sources.

As the energy landscape evolves, AboitizPower remains committed to adapting its transmission networks to manage the increasing variability inherent in renewable energy integration.

"We’re approaching the transition in a very balanced way. Philippine energy demand continues to grow with the economy every year. As we continue to build RE, we also have to ensure that there is sufficient baseload capacity," Sandro explained.

Reflecting on AboitizPower's stellar performance in 2023, Sandro attributes the 37% year-on-year increase in net generation availability and increased sales volume, AboitizPower stands income to the company's adept management of operational complexities.

Bolstered by higher power poised to continue supporting the grid while minimizing costs for end-consumers.

Navigating the intricacies of the generation mix, Aboitiz underscores the importance of a diversified portfolio to ensure affordability and reliability. While RE holds promise, Sandro highlights the critical role of baseload plants in providing consistent and cost-effective energy throughout the day, particularly in light of intermittent RE generation.

"It’s critical that we have our baseload plants continue operating because [these] provide reliable and secure energy at a low cost," he elaborated further while stressing that, "When we make comparisons, it is important to look at the total cost. Solar power, for example, only generates 20% of the time.

The rest of the day, when solar plants aren’t producing any energy, that energy has to come from somewhere else."

Looking towards the future, AboitizPower remains determined to explore transition fuels like liquefied natural gas and assess the feasibility of nuclear technologies to achieve decarbonization goals.

In parallel, Sandro advocates for a conducive policy environment that fosters private sector investment, emphasizing the importance of streamlined permitting processes and enhanced transmission capacity to support sustainable energy initiatives.

As AboitizPower charts a course towards a greener energy landscape, Sandro Aboitiz's strategic stewardship as CFO promises to drive the company's mission of empowering the grid with sustainable and reliable energy solutions, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for the Philippines.

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