The Philippines needs ‘power of all sorts’ to build energy security following a nationwide crisis, says Prime Infra CEO Guillaume Lucci

Prime Infra CEO Guillaume Lucci has stated that the Philippines needs a diverse energy mix, including renewable energy, to ensure energy security following the recent nationwide crisis. Lucci argues that energy reliability and affordability cannot be separated from decarbonization, but for now, a combination of energy sources is necessary as the country imports nearly all of its oil from the Gulf.

The U.S.-Iran war in February, which halted oil flows from the Gulf, caused the Philippines to declare a nationwide energy emergency in March 2022, which is expected to last for a year. Prime Infra, founded in 2017, has a portfolio of infrastructure projects in the Philippines, including the Malampaya gas field, the Wawa hydropower dam, and a waste-to-energy business.

Lucci emphasizes that constructing green infrastructure takes a long time, and stop-gap measures are needed while these projects are being built and scaled. The Wawa dam, for example, took five years to complete and started operating late last year. Prime Infra also focuses on water and waste management, addressing key national priorities.

According to Water.org, 51% of Filipinos lack access to safe drinking water, and 37% do not have access to clean toilets. Lucci founded Prime Infra in 2017, aiming to develop, invest, and operate assets for a long time, ensuring their effective operation.