Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has signed a supply agreement with Aclara Meters Philippines, Inc., a subsidiary of Hubbell Inc., for the deployment of more than 72,000 smart meters this year as part of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program.

The rollout forms part of Meralco’s broader plan to install around 12 million smart meters across its franchise area over the next decade. To date, the distribution utility has deployed approximately 196,000 smart meters.

The newly supplied meters are designed to enable real-time monitoring of electricity usage, remote meter reading, remote connection and disconnection, faster outage detection, and support for smart grid applications.

For consumers, the shift to smart metering means improved visibility into electricity consumption and potentially faster service restoration during outages. Remote reading and connection features also allow for more efficient service handling, which reduces the need for on-site aid.

Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet said the AMI program plays a key role in the company’s planned Grid-Edge Operations and Control Center (GEOCC), which is expected to be operational in the next few years.

“These technologies are designed to enhance secondary network visibility, particularly as distributed energy resources, residential batteries, and electric vehicle charging stations continue to expand across the grid,” Savet said, noting that the GEOCC will work in tandem with Meralco’s System Control Center focused on high-voltage distribution facilities.

Aclara Meters Philippines President and General Manager Waldo Darvin said the company is prepared to support Meralco’s plans. “We stand here today ready to commit the resources, people, and processes and technology so that we can ensure and assure Meralco of a reliable and smooth rollout of meters for deployment,” he said.

Meralco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho described smart meters as central to the utility’s modernization efforts. “For us in Meralco, smart meters are not simply electronic devices; they are enablers of transparency, efficiency, and innovation,” Aperocho said.

As Meralco accelerates its AMI rollout, how quickly will smart metering change the way Filipino households and businesses monitor and manage their electricity use?

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