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As one of the nation’s leading energy entities, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), under the leadership of Manuel V. Pangilinan, is determined to transform the power distribution and generation landscape through remarkable expansion and steadfast dedication to service excellence, customer focus, and consumer empowerment grounded in innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n Meralco surpassed the eight-million customer milestone last October, concluding 2024 with a total of 8.043 million customers. As it consistently broadens its outreach and customer demographic, Meralco has upheld outstanding service performance, highlighting the company’s operational robustness while adapting to changing energy requirements and usage trends.<\/span><\/p>\n The average frequency of power outages per customer, as indicated by the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI), has been consistently declining, reaching 1.041 occurrences by the close of 2024 \u2014 a notable enhancement from 1.194 occurrences in 2023. Correspondingly, the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), which measures the average outage duration per customer, improved to 108.213 minutes from 123.708 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n To enhance customer service and empower its increasing clientele, Meralco has been actively executing strategies to improve its physical and digital interfaces. In 2024, over 60% of total transactions occurred through its digital channels.<\/span><\/p>\n In alignment with customer choice initiatives, Meralco has been augmenting its grid infrastructure and metering capabilities through its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) approach, which complies with regulatory standards and incorporates intelligent metering solutions \u2014 facilitating the smooth execution of the retail aggregation program (RAP) with the onboarding of its first retail aggregation customer in February 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n Meralco is also continually enhancing its distribution facilities and engaging in strategic sourcing efforts to guarantee the provision of adequate, dependable, and stable service at the lowest possible cost to consumers. In 2024, the company completed 18 capital expenditure projects, including four Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) smart substations designed with advanced features to boost the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of the power distribution network. This includes the Arcovia and Sampaloc GIS substations located in Pasig and Manila, respectively, which were activated in the fourth quarter. Other significant projects completed in the quarter included the interconnection of the Maragondon solar facility in Cavite; the upgrade of switchgears at the New Teresa Substation in Rizal, Urdaneta substation in Makati City, and Novaliches Substation in Quezon City; as well as the replacement of the power transformer bank at the Duhat substation in Bulacan.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe will continue to satisfy the increasing electricity demands. With renewed support from Congress, we will invest in initiatives that improve our service and ensure a power distribution system ready for the future. Our efforts in storm hardening will reinforce our network and expedite AMI rollout. Furthermore, we are preparing to facilitate greater utilization of distributed energy resources through network automation and cutting-edge technology, empowering customers with more options and control over their energy consumption,\u201d stated Meralco Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho.<\/span><\/p>\n Outstanding year <\/b>for energy generation<\/b><\/p>\n Beyond distribution, Meralco’s energy generation division, Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN), has exhibited solid operational performance and broadened its clean energy portfolio, establishing significant partnerships and investments that enhance its leadership within the energy sector.<\/span><\/p>\n Under its renewable energy arm MGEN Renewable Energy, Inc. (MGreen), Terra Solar Philippines, Inc. (MTerra Solar) achieved important milestones in 2024, highlighted by the groundbreaking of the project last November. MTerra Solar secured engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts and made significant progress in land acquisition and obtaining tower sites for the transmission line. Overall, project completion reached 22% by the end of December.<\/span><\/p>\n MGEN has made noteworthy strides in its advancement within the local liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector. Before the close of 2024, the Philippine Competition Commission sanctioned MGEN and its partners’ investment in the nation\u2019s pioneering and largest integrated LNG facility in Batangas under a landmark agreement established in March 2024. Following the deal’s finalization, MGEN now holds a 40.2% stake in two gas-fired power plants \u2014 the 1,200 MW South Premiere Power Corporation and 1,275 MW Excellent Energy Resources, Inc., in addition to an LNG import and regasification terminal.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs we conclude another year of substantial strategic growth and operational excellence, MGEN remains dedicated to providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions. The successful expansion of our conventional and renewable portfolios, along with major acquisitions and strategic alliances, fortifies our standing as a leader in the power generation sector,\u201d remarked MGEN President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio.<\/span><\/p>\n Beyond expanding the business<\/b><\/p>\n Through its social development branch, the One Meralco Foundation (OMF), community development programs in 2024 generated significant positive effects for over 41,000 families. Upholding its commitment to illuminating the most remote areas in the nation, OMF energized 3,455 low-income households within the Meralco franchise region under its Household Electrification Program and provided electricity to four off-grid public schools in Camarines Norte, as well as in Oriental Mindoro and Palawan. The Foundation also supplied solar-powered mobile irrigation pumps to two agricultural cooperatives in Lupao and Rizal, Nueva Ecija, and set up solar photovoltaic systems at a water access facility in Brgy. Guinsang-an, Sto. Ni\u00f1o, South Cotabato, and two rural health stations in the isolated communities of Brgy. Lamfugon, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, and Brgy. Rizal, Polilio Island, Panukulan, Quezon Province.<\/span><\/p>\n The Foundation also addressed various community needs within the Meralco franchise area by collaborating with local governments and other nonprofit organizations, implementing over 200 community relation projects to support education, health, youth, and development. It also attended to the immediate requirements of at least 16,000 families affected by disasters such as fires, typhoons, and floods. Additionally, it partnered with the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. and other foundations in the MVP Group to build the Bagong Bayaning Mandirigma Casualty Care Center at the AFP Medical Center (V. Luna Hospital), aimed at assisting the needs of<\/span><\/p>\n Filipino troops injured in combat.<\/span><\/p>\n Under the prominent One for Trees environmental initiative, OMF and collaborators including MGEN, persisted in the reforestation of hills and swamps with over 80,000 additional saplings and mangroves planted by tree cultivators in the Sierra Madre regions of Siniloan, Laguna, and Del Carmen on Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte, respectively, in 2024. Currently, the One for Trees program encompasses more than 2.6 million trees and offers livelihoods to over 2,300 tree cultivators.<\/span><\/p>\n MGEN along with its subsidiaries, has also continued its efforts in enhancing the social welfare of the communities it serves through projects in healthcare, education, and energy accessibility benefiting more than 100,000 individuals. Additionally, it supports biodiversity, tourism, and sports and recreational programs. All these endeavors aimed at promoting sustainable development and community resilience provided benefits to Filipino families across various regions of the nation last year.<\/span><\/p>\n In the upcoming year, Meralco anticipates a prosperous year filled with opportunities not only to expand the business and create enduring value for its investors but also to enhance the assistance it provides to communities both within and outside Meralco\u2019s primary service territory.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe remain committed to our cohesive strategy, prioritizing a customer-oriented distribution utility (DU). Aside from the traditional view of profits and robust cash flows, our pledge to dependable service, affordable energy, and customer orientation also elevates shareholder value,\u201d stated Meralco\u2019s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOngoing advancements in MGEN\u2019s power generation expansions, coupled with enhanced operational efficiency of our functioning DU businesses and our non-power subsidiaries, are expected to further strengthen the Meralco growth narrative. Together with these initiatives, we will intensify our social development endeavors to impact the most isolated regions of the country and support the industries on which these communities depend for their livelihood. All these actions underscore our profound commitment as a reliable nation-building collaborator for our clients, the communities we serve, and our nation,\u201d he concluded.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spotlight is BusinessWorld\u2019s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld\u2019s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld website. For further details, send an email to online@bworldonline.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Join us on Viber at https:\/\/bit.ly\/3hv6bLA<\/a> to receive additional updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld\u2019s publications for exclusive content via www.bworld-x.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
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