Andrew Bowes, political counselor at the British Embassy in Manila, told local journalists during an Aug. 13 visit to Cebu that the United Kingdom sees potential in the province’s energy and infrastructure sectors, although no specific projects have been identified.
“We've started looking for where the opportunities might be,” he said. “One of the reasons I'm here is to see what those opportunities might be.”
Among the areas being explored are renewable energy and waste management, sectors in which the U.K. has particular expertise.
UK experience
Bowes said renewable energy is one area where the UK has experience it can share, particularly as Cebu has been hit by rotating brownouts in recent days due to instability in the Visayas power grid.
He said he was aware of Cebu’s power supply problems, which have been widely reported, and noted that the UK has experience in addressing energy-related challenges.
Bowes said several UK companies are active in renewable energy, including Octopus Energy, one of the country’s largest renewable energy suppliers.
He said there were also investment opportunities in waste-to-energy, noting that many UK companies have been active in this sector.
Courtesy calls
Bowes was in Cebu on Aug. 13 to meet with government and business leaders. His visit also coincided with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UK and the Philippines.
He paid courtesy calls on Cebu Gov. Pam Baricuatro and Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival and met with officers of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Bowes said his discussion with the governor focused on areas where UK companies might find opportunities for engagement, including health and education.
His discussions with the CCCI delved into Cebu’s economic landscape, the priorities of the local business community, and developments shaping trade, investment, employment and regional growth.
Key areas discussed included power and energy, renewable energy, employment, waste management and waste-to-energy solutions, as well as opportunities for expanded business and investment engagement.
Potential areas
In a statement, the CCCI said the meeting also explored areas where UK expertise and capabilities could complement Cebu’s development priorities, particularly in smart city development, urban planning, transportation systems, renewable energy, professional services and other sectors.
Given the United Kingdom’s experience in innovative and sustainable urban solutions, the engagement opened avenues for further dialogue on how British technologies and professional services could support Cebu’s efforts to become smarter, more sustainable and more efficient.
Bowes said trade relations between the UK and the Philippines have remained strong, citing London-based Actis’ investment in Terra Solar Philippines Inc. in 2024, which he described as the largest foreign direct investment in greenfield infrastructure in the country.
Actis invested $600 million for a 40-percent equity stake in Terra Solar, a project being developed by Meralco PowerGen Corp. and SP New Energy Corp. in Central Luzon. The project will have a 3,500-megawatt solar generation capacity and a 4,500-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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