The two entities formalized the collaboration through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at accelerating the development of high-capacity digital infrastructure within the ecozone.

Signed in Makati City, the agreement was led by APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV and InfiniVAN President Shigeki Nakahara, with Naobumi Yokota of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines in attendance.

At the core of the partnership is the planned establishment of a terrestrial fiber backbone within APECO in Casiguran, Aurora, linking the ecozone to existing and upcoming international submarine cable landing points in Baler, Claveria, and other Northern Luzon corridors. This connectivity is seen as critical in attracting hyperscale data center investments and supporting the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) computing demand.

InfiniVAN, the Philippine subsidiary of Tokyo-listed IPS, Inc., currently operates one of the country’s most robust internet backbones, with over 20 Tbps of capacity across 10 international submarine cable systems—placing it among the top connectivity providers in the Philippines.

APECO said the initiative is expected to trigger a multiplier effect across industries, particularly in energy, as data centers require significant and reliable power supply. The ecozone is simultaneously advancing its clean energy portfolio to support these future requirements.

Taway emphasized that beyond infrastructure, the collaboration is expected to generate inclusive growth for Aurora.

“The convergence of digital and energy infrastructure will open up employment opportunities for local communities. While data centers operate with lean teams, they create strong demand across allied industries—driving jobs, skills development, and broader economic growth,” he said.

For its part, InfiniVAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting APECO’s long-term vision of building a future-ready economic zone powered by high-capacity and resilient connectivity.

“Our support reflects the IPS Group’s mission of opening doors of opportunity that benefit society at large,” said InfiniVAN Chairman Koji Miyashita.

The MOU also lays the groundwork for future commercial agreements, including the rollout of fiber optic backhaul infrastructure that will complement APECO’s expanding ecosystem of seaports, airports, and digital assets.

Strategically located along the Pacific seaboard, APECO is positioning itself as an emerging gateway for global digital traffic, aligned with the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in advancing national priorities on digital transformation, energy security, and economic decentralization.

The signing ceremony was attended by Aurora’s local government leaders, who also pledged full support for the initiative—underscoring a unified push to transform the province into a competitive investment destination in the digital economy.

The grant will fund a comprehensive SMR Adoption Study that will assess technology options, identify a preferred design, and conduct preliminary site evaluations. The initiative forms part of Meralco’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program, which aims to position nuclear power as a long-term, low-carbon solution to enhance energy security.

Through USTDA’s technical assistance, MGEN will gain access to advanced U.S.-developed SMR technologies and world-class expertise. The study is expected to produce a shortlist of reactor designs suited to the Philippine market, alongside a high-level implementation roadmap assessing commercial, financial, and regulatory readiness.

“USTDA is proud to lead the U.S. government’s efforts to develop strategic infrastructure projects that both our countries have prioritized,” said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA Deputy Director, noting that safe and secure nuclear solutions offer strong potential for energy independence.

For Meralco, the grant reinforces its push to explore transformative energy technologies in partnership with global institutions.

“This grant goes beyond funding—it signals strong support from the United States for our vision and readiness to lead the adoption of nuclear energy,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, Meralco Chairman and CEO.