By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat

British firm Wood PLC has expressed interest to expand its footprint in the country as it looks into the potential of establishing solar farms and to supply this renewable energy (RE) to power airports in the country, according to Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

Lopez said Wood PLC as represented by company senior vice president Alex Haynes was among the British firms that met with the Philippine Economic Team Managers during a recent roadshow in London on “Investing in Philippine Infrastructure”. The forum was organized by DTI and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in London.

According to Lopez, the British firm is expected to visit soon to continue discussions with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who expressed keen interest for the use of RE to power airports, which he said are the number one producer of carbon footprint.

Tugade has pushed for more renewable energy source such as solar farms that will support the airports. Further talks are slated to continue at Clark Global City in Pampanga.

Wood PLC is a provider of engineering and technical services to clients in the energy and industrial markets worldwide. The company operates in more than 60 countries, including in the PH. They have offices in Batangas City, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, and Muntinlupa City, as they have worked with Shell on the Malampaya deep well project.

At present, Wood PLC is engaged by Shell Pilipinas as asset management contractor for Malampaya gasfield.

Lopez also conveyed DTI’s efforts to bring in more investments in the energy industry and open up this sector as well as other sectors to foreign investment with higher foreign equity participation.

The PH trade chief highlighted the country’s growing number of engineering professionals and skilled graduates that can be employed by companies.

The Philippine infrastructure development team assured British companies that the Philippines is an open market and is ready to do business with any country following President Duterte’s independent foreign policy.

Meanwhile, Arup – a British firm expert in airport planning, tunnel design, maritime, railway, and bridge engineering – expressed its interest to provide technical solutions in various projects of the PH government.

Other British companies represented by their top executives during the forum include Atkins, Asia House, BAE Systems, Finsburry, Jardine Matheson & Co., Accenture, HSBC, Standard Chartered, KPMG, NATS, Prudential, UOB, and ZICO Law.