ADB names energy specialist, insider to head PH ops
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has named Andrew Jeffries, a longtime energy expert and career official at the bank, as its new country director for the Philippines, its host nation, pursuing ambitious clean-energy targets.
He succeeds Pavit Ramachandran, who assumed the post in June 2023, the ADB said in a statement on Monday.
While his résumé is steeped in energy, Jeffries said his focus in Manila would extend beyond the power sector. The Philippines aims to raise the share of renewables in its energy mix from 22 percent to 35 percent by 2030.
“The economy is at a critical juncture, with huge infrastructure and social protection investments rolling out and starting to bear fruit,” he said in a statement.
“More needs to be done to ensure no one is left behind and risks such as those related to climate are mitigated as the country strives toward upper-middle-income status,” he added.
Jeffries, an American citizen, will oversee ADB’s active financing portfolio of around $13 billion for the Philippines, as well as the implementation of the bank’s six-year country partnership plan. He will also manage ADB’s relationships with the government, private sector and development partners.
Energy transition
Jeffries has more than 34 years of professional experience, including over 18 years with ADB. Prior to his current appointment, he was an advisor for energy transition mechanism and partnerships at the bank—overseeing a regionwide energy transition initiative.
He previously served as ADB’s country director in Vietnam, and earlier directed its Southeast Asia Energy Division, managing investments in infrastructure, policy reforms and regional energy cooperation.
He headed ADB’s energy sector operations in India from 2013 to 2016, and prior to that, led energy sector infrastructure projects in the South Asia subregion.
Before joining ADB in 2007, he spent more than a decade in the private sector, including senior roles at Fortis Capital Corp. and GE Capital, where he led financing and investment in energy infrastructure projects.
He holds a master’s degree in international affairs, specializing in international economic policy from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Bucknell University in the US.
“I am also excited to grow ADB’s support to mobilize private capital and expertise as an important part of our overall assistance,” Jeffries said.
