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Philippines wealth fund purchases into China-backed national grid operator

The Philippines' sovereign wealth fund Maharlika Financial investment Corp is purchasing a 20% stake in the operator of the nation's power grid, the federal government said on Monday, a first significant financial investment that tightens its grip on crucial infrastructure. National Grid Corp of the Philippines holds a 25year concession to run the country's sole power transmission operator because winning the contract in 2007. Amid intensifying tensions between Manila and Beijing over conflicts in the South China Sea, NGCP is currently the subject of a congressional probe into its compliance with franchise obligations and its ownership, with China's State Grid Corp. holding a 40% stake.

The first financial investment represents a vital opportunity for. the government to regain higher impact over the country's. important power infrastructure to guarantee that every Filipino has. access to reputable and affordable power, Philippine President. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s office stated in a statement without giving. financial information.

The offer allows Maharlika to sign up for favored shares. used by Synergy Grid & & Development Philippines (SGP), which. would provide the wealth fund two seats each at NGCP and SGP.

SGP efficiently manages 60% of NGCP through a typical. corporate structure of the latter's two biggest Filipino. investors, magnates Henry Sy Jr. and Roberto Coyiuto Jr.

Federal government financial investment in transmission would make additional. capital offered for NGCP to deploy in the pursuit of. completing transmission tasks on time, the Department of. Energy (DOE) said in a separate declaration.

Maharlika can pave the way for better coordination between. the DOE and the NGCP to assist ... speed up the affiliation of. our power grid across the archipelago, the DOE included.

The DOE said 98% of NGCP tasks between 2016 and 2024 were. delayed, some by more than nine years.

(source: Reuters)