First Philec
Hallmark of Efficiency and Local Manufacturing Excellence

The advantage of amorphous metal transformers (AMT) over CRGO as energy-efficient counter parts has empowered organizations such as First Philec to support Filipinos in the sourcing and procurement of transformers, in turn, ensuring a minimal load loss rate and carbon footprint. Traditional CRGO (cold roll grain oriented) power distributors made of silicon steel have proven over time to be high in maintenance and incur substantial energy losses, which impacts the entirety of the energy distribution supply chain. In the APAC region, transmission and distribution losses range from 4 to 17.4 percent of final energy consumption. As transformer losses make up nearly a third of all energy loss in the transmission and distribution system, First Philec recognized the need to custom-build the cores of AMT and engineer them to tap the fullest efficiency of the distribution utilities in the energy value chain.

Materializing the vision of autonomous development, the largest manufacturer of AMT transformers in the Philippines—First Philec—builds transformers designed to achieve energy, all the while providing clients a low cost of ownership.

Upon studying the inherent challenges hindering the distribution sector in the Philippines, First Philec realized the need for local manufacturing and distribution of transformers to bridge the gap in procurements and cost-effective installation process. This knowledge and comprehension resulted in an enterprise that effectively manufactured transformers from the ground up, locally, providing post-purchase services and warranties without the need for external aid from overseas. This approach to manufacturing drastically brought down the expenditure associated with transformers, paving the way to a measurable reduction of the carbon footprint across power grids.

"Our competitive advantage of being local is that we get to better understand the pain points of our customers by being with them and understanding their business process.

This way we can provide better solutions. Another advantage is our after sales services which we can deploy immediately if the need arises," says Derrick B. Degay - Co-General Manager & Head of Corporate Planning and Development.

First Philec incorporates strategic initiatives in manufacturing and continual after-sales process to address the critical requirements of their customers. With a proactive approach toward the maintenance of transformers, First Philec developed a smart monitoring system to track the condition, performance, energy consumption statistics, and load loss occurrence during the operational period of the transformer. Based on such systematic analysis, the system can be integrated with the electrical power management system (EPMS) to identify the power quality, raise event alarms in case of maintenance or outages,and also initiate programs to reduce power consumption and power costs. Furthermore, First Philec has been developing the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) platform to integrate different digital devices and products, aligned to aid and support the energy-efficient power grids of the future.

Our competitive advantage of being local is that we get to better understand the pain points of our customers by being with them and understanding their business process. This way we can provide better solutions. Another advantage is our after sales services which we can deploy immediately if the need arises

Rendering services in preventive maintenance, calibration of control and relays, site testing and commissioning, primary meter conversion, and total asset management, the company also addresses the uptime of technical services that are an integral part of the transmission and distribution value chain. For instance, First Philec also provides its clients the option to use biodegradable environmentally-friendly fluids in transformers which provide twice the thermal capacity of conventional mineral oils— making the products safer and more durable. Envisioning sustainability in distribution utilities, the company has been initiating the development of "green transformers" designed to be completely recyclable and biodegradable.