Following the official declaration of the dry season by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), led by Manuel V. Pangilinan, has assured customers of its preparedness to provide reliable and stable electricity throughout the hotter months.
“We are actively coordinating with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other key industry stakeholders to ensure we’re ready to meet the higher electricity demand expected in the coming months, which also coincide with the country’s midterm elections,” said Joe R. Zaldarriaga, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications.
To bolster its distribution network, Meralco has intensified maintenance and upgrade efforts, ensuring its infrastructure remains in peak condition. In anticipation of the dry season’s energy demands, Meralco began securing additional power supplies as early as last year. In January, the utility company signed an emergency power supply agreement for 200 megawatts (MW) of capacity. This move aims to reinforce the baseload supply and reduce reliance on the volatile Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.
To manage demand more efficiently, Meralco is also encouraging greater participation in the government’s Interruptible Load Program (ILP). Under this initiative, large electricity consumers are urged to temporarily operate on their own generator sets or shift energy use during peak periods to reduce strain on the grid and avoid residential power interruptions during Red Alert situations.
Currently, over 100 companies within Meralco’s franchise area are enrolled in the ILP, contributing more than 500 MW of de-loading capacity.
In addition, Meralco continues to promote energy efficiency among its customers. Residential power consumption typically spikes by 20% to 33% during the summer compared to the cooler months of January and February. “By adopting energy-efficient habits, customers can better manage their consumption while helping balance the overall energy demand,” Zaldarriaga added.
Prepared for elections
Meralco is also taking proactive steps to ensure uninterrupted service during the upcoming elections. The company participated in a mock election exercise organized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to test its emergency response protocols.
During the simulation, Meralco crews addressed scenarios including load-side disruptions, downed lines, and fire-related outages, all of which were resolved swiftly. The company’s call center also demonstrated its readiness to handle outage reports and election-related power concerns from election officers.
“While we’ve had a history of smooth operations during past elections, we’ve put contingency measures in place to handle any potential issues,” said Zaldarriaga. “Our generator sets are ready, and crews will be strategically deployed to ensure a rapid response in the event of isolated outages.”