Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) announced that liquefied natural gas (LNG) has overtaken coal as its main energy source, with renewables expected to surpass coal by next year. The declaration was made during the 2025 Philippine Electric Power Industry Forum (PEPIF), themed “Accelerating Philippine Renewable Energy Transition through Innovation and Collaboration.”
“Our mission in MGEN is clear: we will lead the country’s energy transition. This year, liquefied natural gas (LNG) overtook coal as our main energy source, while renewables will be overtaking coal next year,” said Emmanuel V. Rubio, MGEN President and CEO. “The path to a low-carbon future is challenging, but it is one we must take—for our planet, for our economy, and for future generations.”
MGEN’s transition strategy involves leveraging advanced solar technologies with battery storage, increasing its LNG investments, and exploring nuclear energy potential. The company’s renewable energy portfolio currently holds nearly 400 MWac of net sellable capacity across seven provinces, with an ambition to exceed 1,500 MW by 2030.
Rubio positioned these investments as addressing the country’s “energy trilemma”—stability, affordability, and sustainability. “Through these investments, we are addressing the energy trilemma—ensuring that the Philippines has a stable, affordable, and sustainable energy future,” he added.
Department of Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara highlighted the government’s policy directions, including the Marine Spatial Plan and carbon credit mechanisms. She emphasized consumer-driven demand for reliable electricity, stating: “Before, when we did the survey for household electrification, the responses of households were different. But now, the number one is access to electricity—that is expected. The second one is reliability. They now want reliable electricity.”
Meanwhile, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta underscored the need for institutional reforms, particularly in regulatory resets and technical code reviews. “We need to put in place what we call the enablers—these regulatory actions that prime the environment to operate as efficiently as it should.”
The forum also spotlighted new technologies, such as grid modernization and energy storage, with contributions from players including Huawei Digital Power, Schneider Electric, and academic institutions.
With over 4,953 MW in combined capacity and a growing clean energy portfolio, MGEN is positioning itself as a central player in shaping a sustainable power future for the Philippines.
What are your thoughts on LNG taking the lead over coal—and the possibility of nuclear energy entering the mix? Let’s discuss the implications for energy security, sustainability, and affordability.
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