G&W Electric further expanding Philippines presence

MANILA, Philippines — Illinois-based global supplier of electric power equipment G&W Electric is eyeing to deepen its support to the Philippines in its grid modernization efforts and in minimizing power outages to help in the country’s post-pandemic recovery.

In a virtual briefing, G&W regional sales manager for APAC North Enriko Camacho said 60 percent of the company’s Asian market comes from the Philippines.

“We have been doing business with the different utilities here and I can see a large chunk of the Asia Pacific market is coming from the Philippines.  We have had quite established a footprint in the Philippines as well. So, if I would estimate the number, I guess I can say 60 percent of the Asian market is actually coming from the Philippines,” he said.

The  country has ongoing electrification efforts of bringing power to more provinces and asset modernization, which is progressing at a steady pace.

However, several factors are putting added pressure on the power grid, such as rapid urbanization and climate change, which constantly puts it under threat of strong typhoons affecting the country each year.

Moreover, outages are still commonplace, particularly for electric cooperatives that may likely have less resources to update aging infrastructure.

To help address these grid issues, G&W owner and chairman John Mueller said it hopes to supply the utilities with improved reclosers, which have become the global market solution to the expansion of distribution networks and enhanced reliable power.

“To better mitigate disruption and to manage reliable electrical service, improvements made in recloser technology are imperative to ensure a reduction in widespread power outages. Today, reclosers are the critical must-have in a utility’s grid reliability,” he said.

The company recently launched its new product called the Teros recloser, which is designed to improve system reliability and grid resiliency. This new recloser provides overcurrent protection for temporary faults on overhead distribution lines and reduces long-term system outages.