THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is preparing at least P70 billion worth of capital expenditure for infrastructure hardening and for the rollout of smart meters over the next five years.
The company’s infrastructure hardening efforts are meant to strengthen power distribution facilities to withstand strong winds and typhoons, according to Froilan Savet, Meralco first vice president and head of networks.
Smart meters are digital electronic meters that are capable of measuring and providing real-time energy usage data that can empower consumers to manage their consumption and overall improvement in the reliability of a network.
Savet said in a message to reporters on Sunday P40 billion will be spent for the rollout of at least four million smart meters from 2025 to 2029.
The remaining P30 billion will be spent for infrastructure hardening and resiliency as well as asset renewal and system improvement projects and intensive pole relocation affected by government projects and Public-Private Partnership projects.
Meralco said tfor 2025 until the first half of 2026, P4.56 billion will be allocated for 390,000 smart meters under its advance metering infrastructure as well as other network operation improvements.
“Next year, we will be deploying our first mobile medium-voltage switchgear for contingency purposes,” Savet said.
Last November, Meralco signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Electric Power Corp. and its Knowledge Data Network to advance the use of smart metering technologies to empower consumers and enhance grid reliability.
Since 2011, Meralco has been integrating smart metering technologies in its distribution network to improve operational efficiency, enhance grid reliability and resiliency, apart from empowering its currently 8 million customers.
