Japan’s JERA bets big on AboitizPower in bid to support PH, regional power sector

SINGAPORE – JERA Asia is focused on supporting further growth of its Philippine partner AboitizPower especially since  advancing technologies have significantly increased the power demand in the region, its officials said.

JERA, Japan’s largest power generator, owns 27 percent of AboitizPower, following a sizeable $1.6 billion investment in the Philippine firm in 2021. JERA is responsible for 30 percent of Japan’s total power generation, and whose investment strategy is focused on liquefied natural gas (LNG), low carbon fuels, and renewables.

AboitizPower is an “important” investment for the company, JERA Asia Managing Executive Officer and CEO Izumi Kai told reporters in a briefing ahead of the Singapore International Energy Week 2026.

“So through AboitizPower, our intention is to help Aboitiz grow further, not only for this core business, but also LNG as well as renewables,” Kai said.

Kai shared that when investing, they do no just look at a county.

“We start with what the power system needs. So we look for a clear market need and investable framework and the right local partner. And we want to bring more than capital. We want to build capabilities and create long-term value together,” he said.

The company supported AboitizPower’s entry into LNG, which did not only diversified its operations but also increased in capacity.

Since JERA’s infusion, officials have said that AboitizPower’s capacity had also rose significantly to around 6.8 GW, JERA Asia Chief Strategy Officer Christ Starling said.

‘We very much want to invest in a strategic way in a way where we can demonstrate a lot of our capabilities… To help them in a number of front for example like in Aboitiz, through governance through improving reliability, power operations, in the Philippines,” he said.

“And a key purpose of that approach that we take not only to develop projects but also to invest in partnerships is because we see huge potential for long-term value creation. So we want to invest strategically not only in projects but also in partnerships in this region that will create that long-term value in the markets where it’s needed,” Starling said.

JERA has footprint in 10 countries globally and has also partnered with TeaM Energy in the Philippines.

JERA said economic growth, demographic trends and data center development, among others drive the increase in power demand not just globally but also in the region. According to an industry estimate cited by JERA, South and Southeast Asia, excluding India, could add 135GW of demand between 2025 to 2040.

The Philippines is also estimated to see a increase in data center growth.

JERA has also launched a training center it the Philippines to enhance the skills of future engineers and other talent pool in the industry.

“And that was really a sign of deep commitment to the Philippines, but also this region in terms of how we can support the country with its energy transition ambitions to provide reliable power to help introduce renewables and low carbon fuels,” Starling said.
When asked how the region could better navigate the challenges in the sector such as supply disruptions, geopolitical tensions as well as decarbonization ambitions, JERA said it’s about building resilience across the entire value chain.

“So energy security is not just about securing LNG. So we need diversified supply, efficient use of existing assets, and the balanced energy mix. Energy transition needs a clear destination but the flexible path. The pace may change as countries respond to immediate challenges, but the long-term direction towards decarbonization remains the same,” Kai said.

The Philippines aims to achieve a 30 percent renewable energy share to the power generation mix by 2030, and to 50 percent mix by 2040.