MPower has begun supplying electricity to 60 Starbucks stores in Metro Manila under the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), marking another move toward greater participation in the competitive retail electricity market.

The partnership with Rustan Coffee Corporation consolidates the power demand of these stores, roughly amounting to over 3 megawatts (MW), allowing the cafe chain to access more competitive electricity rates and improve operational efficiency.

Enrollment of the stores under the program began in November 2025, as part of efforts to optimize electricity costs while supporting the company’s broader sustainability goals.

“In today’s evolving business environment, it is important for companies like ours to continue exploring ways to operate more efficiently. Since transitioning, we have begun to see initial savings in our electricity costs,” said RCOC President Noey Lopez.

The initiative also complements Starbucks Philippines’ existing in-store sustainability measures. These include the use of 100% LED lighting, energy-efficient air-conditioning systems, water-saving fixtures, and improved waste management practices.

MPower, the retail electricity supplier of Meralco, said the partnership highlights how businesses with multiple facilities can benefit from aggregating their demand under RAP, which itself is part of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) framework.

“By pioneering RAP within the food and beverage sector, it demonstrates how businesses with multiple facilities can access the benefits of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) framework,” said Meralco Senior Vice President and MPower Head Redel Domingo.

Under RCOA, qualified electricity consumers are allowed to choose their power supplier, enabling access to more flexible and cost-competitive energy solutions. MPower said it continues to expand its offerings to support businesses seeking efficiency and sustainability in their energy use.

As more companies explore retail electricity options, how might programs like RAP reshape energy sourcing strategies for large commercial users?

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