Meralco Champions Smart Grid as Philippines Targets 11,400 Megawatts in Additional Power

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Manila Electricity Company (Meralco), which is controlled by First Pacific (HK:0142-Ol.HK) (Hong Kong), the Philippines' only electrical power distributor, is championing a smart grid technology strategy to mitigate the high price of power in the country. Meralco holds the power distribution franchises for 22 cities and 89 municipalities across the Philippines.

Jose Antonio Valdez, Meralco's vice president and head of marketing, customer solutions and innovations, said that a smart grid approach would be a "game changer" in the country's energy sector. He claims that the technology will benefit households with better grid performance, attract investments, create jobs, and lead to a more secure and sustainable energy supply.

The price of electricity in the Philippines is high, because the main fuel sources are hydrocarbons such as coal, oil and natural gas, and prices for these fuels are based on international standards.

The Philippines government's energy plan will require a minimum of $74 billion in new investment between now and 2030 to secure power supply to support growth in the economy. The natural gas sector will take about $30 billion. With an annual growth rate of 7%, an additional 11,400 megawatts (MW) will be required.

The overall strategy is to ensure energy security with power available at a reasonable price, and to expand energy access with a focus on providing electrification to the countryside to support economic growth. A low-carbon future also has been mandated in response to global calls to mitigate climate change.

The plan also calls for the establishment of an integrated information and technology infrastructure (ICT) that will enable various stakeholders to access energy-related information and services in real time.

Valdez said that Meralco's innovation efforts were mostly directed to leveling up customer service, building up intelligence and its distribution network, and making power more affordable. The smart grid would enable the use of smart meters, which will increase possibilities for consumers and include prepaid retail electricity service, home energy management systems and electric vehicle charging stations.

For related information, see March 6, 2013, article - Asia-Pacific Smart Meter Shipments Grow 516.8% in 2012, Reports Tracker.

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