In a country where electricity prices bite and the grid struggles to keep up, Stratcon.ph is stepping up with a bold promise: to transform how the Philippines manages and uses power and energy behind the meter. Launched in 2020, this Filipino energy innovator isn’t just reacting to the energy transition—it’s driving it. Its vision is to empower the commercial, industrial, and transport sectors to take charge of their energy future. At its side stands Smappee, a Belgian cleantech leader whose smart energy management and electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions are fueling Stratcon.ph’s ambitious plans.
“Power monitoring is step zero,” says Colin Steley, Stratcon.ph’s Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer. “You can’t make informed decisions without having the necessary data.” It’s a principle that has guided Stratcon.ph since day one—“it is key to unlocking the first fuel.”
A Vision Built on Insight
Stratcon.ph’s story starts with Colin, who currently sits on the board of both PSSA (Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance)andPE2 (Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance). He first came to the Philippines in 2013 to contract the country’s inaugural utility-scale solar project under the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program.
The FIT program, introduced under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (RA 9513), jumpstarted the renewable energy industry by driving early investments in the sector. By 2025, Colin had witnessed firsthand the evolution of the power sector and actively contributes to shaping it through policy development with both PSSEA and PE2.
In 2020, Colin founded Stratcon.ph, driven by a passion for energy efficiency, data-driven solutions, and the energy transition.
“The energy transition is unfolding, and we are now deeply immersed in its progression,” he explains. “The key is quality data that’s easy to interpret so one can understand the where, when, and how of energy usage and power quality; comprehend how that change is happening, and then from there, one can prescribe.”
“There’s nobody that does data better than Smappee,” Colin says of Stratcon.ph’s technology partner. Covering up to nine three-phase loads on a single unit, Smappee’s Infinity Smart Energy Management System allows users to monitor all common electrical parameters while providing dynamic insights between the loads, including harmonics.
Now, with the impact of EV charging growing due to the EVIDA law, which mandates that 5% of parking spaces be equipped with EV Charging Stations (EVCS), they are expanding the reach of Smappee’s system by seamlessly integrating it into EV charging solutions. This provides essential tools for managing power, preventing breaker trips, automating efficiency, future-proofing facilities, and driving the Philippines’ electric future.
“Smappee is an energy management company that now specializes in EV charging solutions,” Colin emphasizes. With over eight years of experience and more than 12 million charges completed in Europe, Smappee continues to innovate in the sector.
Stratcon is also proud to claim that it was the first ESCO to effectively address transport fleet RA 11285 reporting requirements by partnering with Geotab, the world’s most highly awarded vehicle telematics provider. It remains the only company with sustainability at its core, offering highly accurate vehicle data on distance traveled, fuel consumption, and driver behavior—creating a strong baseline for insights to enhance both safety and efficiency.
Resilience Amid Challenges
The global pandemic tested Stratcon.ph’s mettle. “It was a tough period,” Colin recalls. “We imported power monitoring equipment, and our first client, because of COVID, said, ‘No, we’re not going to do this anymore.”
But a chance online meeting with an interested client led to a breakthrough at a six-star resort, where Stratcon.ph installed Smappee to rein in diesel-powered electricity, costing PHP 23 per kilowatt-hour. By monitoring consumption, keeping the power producer honest, and implementing efficiency tweaks, they achieved 15% energy savings, a milestone that propelled them forward.
Stratcon.ph’s target market includes commercial and industrial (C&I) heavyweights, as well as the transport sector—firms classified as “Designated Entities” under RA 11285, which consume 50,000 kWh or more annually. Their boldest move? Deploying over 70 Smappee units across a single building facility to monitor over 200 loads, making it “the single largest power-monitored commercial facility in the Philippines.” “They will be able to make informed decisions about their clients’ power consumption—where, when, and how,” Colin affirms.
Real Results, Real Impact
Stratcon.ph’s work delivers.
In a spa, Stratcon developed a heat map from the 5-minute granular historical consumption information Smappee provides, exposing overnight energy waste. A series of Smappee Output units were integrated to automate and control various loads overnight. This solution provided a very short ROI (Return on Investment) since the power monitoring data were already integrated into Smappee’s output.
In a factory, they detected excess solar exports, enabling clients to quickly avoid regulatory issues while also saving money by ensuring that unused solar-generated kWh, which would otherwise be exported to the grid, are utilized as consumed energy instead.
That transparency sets Stratcon.ph apart in a market where some solar companies hide data for profitability. Colin’s mission is to “empower facilities managers and owners to understand what is really going on, because while solar PV is a hot commodity, there are a wider array of solutions to lower costs and improve performance while meeting compliance requirements. We look for win-win opportunities for clients.”
Stratcon.ph’s vision extends beyond commercial and industrial giants. Colin envisions a future where Filipino households join the energy revolution as prosumers—both consuming and producing powerin a dynamic market.
He describes a future where homes use Smappee’s integration with smart ecosystems like Alexa and HomeKit to manage peak demand, sell excess solar energy at Wholesale ElectricitySpot Market (WESM) rates, and take full control of their energy consumption.
“It’s not going to happen today or tomorrow, but that’s where the future is going.”
The Philippines’ regulatory environment already allows for Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA)through WESM. WhileDemand Side Management (DSM) regulations still need refinement, the Department of Energy (DOE) is actively addressing these gaps. This solution could help reduce the severity of transmission issues during orange and red alerts. Contestable customers and prosumers can play a crucial role in the country’s energy transition.
Charging Toward the Future
Stratcon.ph recently held a Workshop & Technical Training in Muntinlupa City, attended by facility managers, engineers, and sustainability advocates. As Stratcon.ph’s sole and trusted partner for the past five years, Smappee was highlighted at the event for its Infinity Smart Energy Management System and its EV charging solutions. The event showcased Smappee’s real-time monitoring, AI-driven automation for cost savings, and advanced EV charging capabilities such as intelligent load balancing, cascade overload protection, and dynamic tariff-based charging—all within a single package.
Smappee’s smart EV charging line is designed for efficiency and is particularly relevant for real estate developers and operators, vehicle fleet operators, and businesseslooking to integrate EV infrastructure under the Philippines’ Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (RA 11697).
A guest speaker from the Department of Science and Technology Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) presented a case study on their Government Energy Management Project (GEMP) that leveraged Smappee’s technology. Not only did they achieve ISO 50001:2018 certification compliance as a result, but the project went on to achieve a five-star GEMP rating last October 2023, and the prestigious Energy Efficiency Excellence (EEE) Award under the National Government Agency Category from the Department of Energy in December 2023 wherein ITDI achieved the highest rating of 93.325% among all NGA category participants. More recently in 2024 was honored with the Institutional Energy Management Award at the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) 2024 Regional Awards for the Asia Pacific Rim Region. For Stratcon.ph, EV charging isn’t just a trend—it’s a key part of their client’s decarbonization strategy, bridging energy management with e-mobility.
For Stratcon.ph, EV charging isn’t just a trend—it’s a key part of their client’s decarbonization strategy, bridging energy management with e-mobility.
The March workshop was more than a showcase—it was a workforce game-changer. In-person participants earned Smappee Installer Certifications, gaining hands-on expertise in installing and optimizing energy and EV charging systems.
Stratcon.ph tied the training to compliance with RA 11285 (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act) and RA 11697 (EVIDA Law), demonstrating how Smappee’s solutions help businesses meet mandates, secure incentives, and cut carbon emissions.
Experts broke down practical applications, from automating load management to deploying EV chargersaligned with national energy goals.
The workshop didn’t just educate—it empowered professionals to turn Stratcon.ph’s vision into action, one installation at a time.
A Filipino Force with Global Roots
Colin’s heart is local—he is married to a Filipina and has two sons—but his perspective is global, shaped by years of experience mostly across Asia but also the world at large.
Smappee’s pedigree, from its net-zero Belgian HQ to its award-winning technology, fuels Stratcon.ph’s competitive edge. Colin recognized Smappee’s applicability five years ago and the value it brings to unlocking the insights needed to monitor, manage, and implement the necessary measures for a more efficient, resilient, and cost-effective operation.
Together, they are tailoring solutions for the Philippines, a country where high energy prices, a progressive regulatory environment, an unbundled market, and a competitive spot market make it the ideal testing ground for new technology in Southeast Asia.
Stratcon.ph can integrate solar, storage, EV Charging and smart management into a comprehensive decarbonization playbook for C&I facilities and Transportation companies alike.Smappee provides a complete ecosystem of solutions for facilities to address the energy transition head-on with a modular, cost-effective approach.
“We can make recommendations to save from day one,” says Colin. However, once a solid baseline is established, Stratcon.ph’s other technology partners provide retrofit solutions for HVAC, lighting, motors, batteries, and more—delivering cost-effective savings while strengthening facilities for the energy transition challenges ahead.
A Legacy of Empowerment
As the Philippines navigates coal’s decline and electrification’s rise, Stratcon.ph is building a future where energy isn’t a burden but an opportunity.
“Things have been progressively evolving in the Philippines; we are the only unbundled market with a fully operating spot market (WESM) in Southeast Asia – Singapore doesn’t count. It’s a really exciting time. I’m very much looking forward to seeing where and how battery storage will be applied to see even greater amounts of renewable energy integration. Either way, it all starts with comprehensive power monitoring,” Colin says.
With Smappee’s ecosystem of solutions and Stratcon.ph’s vision, they’re not just monitoring power—they’re handing the reins to a nation ready to lead.
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