The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) says that its infrastructure could support electric cooperatives (ECs) in providing power to Visayas, Mindanao, and other regions across the country, ensuring 24/7 service that is reliable, affordable, and sustainable.
In a statement, MERALCO Senior Vice President Atty. Arnel Casanova highlighted the technological innovations that MERALCO can harness to support electric cooperatives in improving their capacity to deliver reliable and stable electricity.
“We want to help ECs. We don’t want their employees to lose their jobs. What we want is to help them become more efficient in their work. We will provide training and financial resources to empower ECs further because their task is essential in the countryside,” said Atty. Casanova.
One of these is the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems that utilize predictive data analytics to guarantee that power is swiftly reconnected or to prevent power outages.
“We are also upgrading our SCADA systems to help ensure that power is quickly restored if tripping occurs,” Atty. Casanova added.
Another technology that the distribution utility (DU) can utilize is the advanced metering infrastructure to improve energy efficiency and management. MERALCO is gearing up to install three million smart meters by the end of 2024.
MERALCO is prioritizing automation for its substations and distribution lines to boost power reliability. Additionally, the company is expanding its focus on electric mobility and cutting-edge battery technology, with plans to roll out 100 EV charging stations before the year-end.
The company has further expanded its renewable energy portfolio by investing in a 3.5 gigawatt (GW) solar plant in Nueva Ecija, supported by a 4,000 megawatt (MW) battery storage system to enhance grid resilience.
In addition, it has secured a partnership with a U.S. company focusing on micro-modular nuclear reactors to diversify its energy solutions.
