Primelectric studies South Korea’s efficient power distribution model

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By Francis Allan L. Angelo

In a bid to enhance its power distribution systems and consumer services in the Philippines, Primelectric Holdings, Inc. sent top executives to South Korea to study advanced technologies and operations under the Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), globally regarded for its power delivery efficiency.

Leading the delegation was Primelectric President and CEO Roel Castro, who visited KEPCO’s Transmission and Distribution Headquarters.

The utility boasts a system loss of just 3.53% and a system average incident frequency index of only 0.6% annually – metrics that reflect near-zero unplanned outages throughout its network.

A key contributor to KEPCO’s performance is its heavy investment in high-tech infrastructure. Currently, 12.3% of its distribution lines are underground, particularly in commercial zones.

All lines are fully insulated, and thousands of automatic circuit reclosers (ACRs) are in place, capable of restoring power in as fast as one second.

The Primelectric team observed KEPCO’s cutting-edge facilities, including unmanned substations, fully digitalized control panels, switches, and remote-operated ACRs.

The South Korean utility also demonstrated live line maintenance – a process conducted without the need for power shutdowns.

Castro and his team praised KEPCO’s rigorous safety protocols and the use of specialized safety gear to protect linemen and technical crews. These practices, they noted, are integral to maintaining both efficiency and worker safety.

“This benchmarking mission will significantly influence the direction of Primelectric and its operating units – MORE Power, Negros Power, and Bohol Light – as well as other potential expansion areas in the Philippines,” Castro said.

“What we saw in KEPCO is not just technology, but a mindset – a culture of efficiency, reliability, and safety. This is the level of service we want to bring to our consumers,” he added. “We plan to send our engineers to the KEPCO Academy to speed up the adoption of modernized systems and familiarize them with world-class equipment.”

Primelectric intends to apply these learnings gradually to move closer to world-class standards in the Philippine electric distribution sector.

The KEPCO trip follows an earlier visit by Primelectric to Taeyoung Electric Co., Ltd., a longstanding South Korean manufacturing partner. That visit was aimed at deepening supply chain ties and securing durable, high-performance electrical hardware for Primelectric’s expanding utilities.

“Seeing the precision and scale of operation firsthand is invaluable,” Castro said during the Taeyoung visit. “This isn’t just a supplier visit; it’s an alignment of vision for reliability and technological excellence that our growing customer base in the Philippines requires.”

Taeyoung, founded in 1969, is a key player in Korea’s industrial electrical sector and a contractor for major infrastructure projects involving KEPCO, POSCO, and Samsung C&T. It is currently building a new manufacturing plant in Ansan, scheduled to open in April 2026, to meet increasing demand across Southeast Asia.

Electrical components such as transformers and switchgear used by MORE Power, Negros Power, and Bohol Light already carry the Taeyoung brand, reflecting an evolving partnership beyond procurement into strategic collaboration.

“Taeyoung’s expertise is not just in manufacturing, but in engineering for durability and efficiency,” said Engr. Christopher Serojano, Network Distribution and Operations Group manager of MORE Power. “For utilities facing growing demand and challenging environments, this partnership is a direct investment in grid resilience.”

Castro underscored the broader strategic goal of these international engagements.

“As a leader in the revitalization of Philippine electric distribution utilities, Primelectric’s direct engagement with a high-caliber technical partner is a strategic maneuver,” he said. “It secures not only equipment, but also a transfer of engineering knowledge and a collaborative approach to solving the complex challenges of modernizing and expanding power distribution networks.”

By aligning with world-class utilities and manufacturers, Primelectric aims to build a smarter, more resilient electric grid in the Philippines—one that meets both current and future power demands.