K-water Expands 'K-Water Management' Territory in the Philippines

Securing Preferred Negotiator Status for New Clark City’s 1-Trillion-Won Water Infrastructure Project
Exporting Technologies such as AI Water Treatment Plants and Digital Twins...
Raising Expectations for Korean Water Companies to Enter the Market Together

Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water, President Yoon Seokdae) is accelerating its expansion in the Philippines, broadening its business scope from water management to smart city development and renewable energy. Building on its entry into the Philippine market with the Angat Dam hydropower operation and management (O&M) project in 2014, K-water is now pursuing a series of new investment projects aimed at securing a bridgehead for the export of ‘K-water management.’

Yoon Seokdae, President of Korea Water Resources Corporation (left in the photo), is taking a commemorative photo with Joshua Bingkang, Chairman of the Base Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), at the priority negotiator status (OPS) award ceremony for the New Clark City Water Infrastructure Project held on September 14 (local time) at the BCDA in the Philippines. Korea Water Resources Corporation

The fastest-moving project is the New Clark City water infrastructure project, a flagship initiative in the Philippines’ representative future city. The K-water consortium recently secured official preferred negotiator status (OPS) from the Philippine Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). Of the project’s total investment of 1 trillion won, the first phase alone amounts to approximately 350 billion won. This public-private partnership (PPP) project will establish and operate comprehensive water circulation infrastructure, from water intake to water supply and sewage, for an estimated 860,000 future residents of New Clark City.

K-water plans to apply advanced technologies such as the Philippines’ first underground water retention dam, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven water treatment plants, and smart water network management (SWNM). In New Clark City, the company is also pushing ahead with smart green industrial complex development in addition to water infrastructure. President Yoon Seokdae held discussions with BCDA regarding the prompt contract conclusion for the water infrastructure project and explored avenues for cooperation on the smart green industrial district, ‘Unicorn Valley’.

President Yoon stated, “It is a meaningful achievement that Korea’s accumulated advanced AI and smart water management technology has gained official trust in the Philippines’ core national new city development. We will complete the remaining procedures without a hitch and serve as a reliable water security partner, enabling New Clark City to grow into a global smart city resilient to the climate crisis.”

Business development efforts continue in the renewable energy sector as well. K-water has begun a preliminary feasibility study to assess the viability of developing a floating solar power plant with a maximum capacity of 90 MW at the Bustos Dam in the Philippines. This marks the company’s first project to apply floating solar power technology, already in operation in Korea, to an overseas dam. The project will link funding from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and international greenhouse gas reduction program support from the government. As for the pumped-storage project, K-water has agreed with Philippine energy company First Gen to jointly review the feasibility of a pumped-storage project in northern Manila. In line with the Philippines’ expanding renewable energy sector, they plan to tap into the so-called ‘water battery’ market to complement highly variable renewables and enhance grid stability. Collaboration with BCDA is also underway to introduce smart villages.

Yoon Seokdae, President of the Korea Water Resources Corporation (left in photo), is receiving a letter of appointment from Albert dela Cruz, Chair of the Climate Change Commission, at the Presidential Palace in the Philippines on April 18 (local time) and posing for a commemorative photo. Korea Water Resources Corporation

Such business expansion is grounded in K-water's high-level network with local government. President Yoon serves as a special adviser to the Philippine Climate Change Commission, providing consultation on water management policies and technology. The plan is to incorporate water management technologies such as AI-based water treatment plants, digital twins, and smart network management into local policy while also broadening opportunities for Korean water companies to enter the Philippine market.

President Yoon remarked, “Korea Water Resources Corporation will generously share its professional experience so that the water management AI transformation achievements we are leading can be reflected in the Philippines’ national policy. We are committed to playing a pivotal role not only with K-water’s cutting-edge technologies but also as a catalyst for outstanding domestic water companies to make active inroads into the local market.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.