The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has partnered with South Korea's Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to build smart energy systems in New Clark City, reinforcing the city's role in the Luzon Economic Corridor. This initiative supports secure, resilient energy infrastructure for high-value industries and aligns with the national agenda to strengthen energy security and attract strategic foreign investments.
KEPCO's Smart Energy Vision for New Clark City
The Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and BCDA signed a memorandum of understanding on November 10, 2017, to undertake a feasibility study on power supply through an underground power distribution network in New Clark City . This partnership marked KEPCO's first foray into the overseas smart power supply network market, aimed at building a "Smart Energy City" that integrates smart grid infrastructure with information and communication technology . The project was expected to optimize energy management and enhance urban convenience through innovation. KEPCO intended to establish a power distribution company in cooperation with BCDA to build and operate this underground network. The Smart Energy City concept demonstrates how international expertise can be leveraged to create sustainable urban ecosystems.
Complementary Partnerships: The Meralco-Marubeni Smart Grid
In a parallel development, BCDA awarded the contract for New Clark City's power distribution system to the Meralco-Marubeni Consortium on January 18, 2019, following a competitive bidding process where they offered a tariff of ₱0.6188 per kilowatt-hour . The consortium, composed of Meralco, Marubeni, Kansai Electric Power, and Chubu Electric Power, formed a joint venture company to finance, design, construct, and operate the city's power distribution system . New Clark City is envisioned to have the first completely smart power grid in the country, with state-of-the-art facilities comparable to smart cities worldwide . Residents and locators can enjoy access to real-time information from the distribution utility, allowing them to manage their electricity consumption more effectively. Both the KEPCO partnership and the Meralco-Marubeni agreement highlight BCDA's strategy of building a smart, green, and resilient metropolis that integrates advanced technology with sustainable practices.
