PUSHING FOR SMART GRID DEVELOPMENT. Meralco, which has been deploying smart metering technologies since 2013, plans to ramp up the rollout to cover close to 11 million smart meters in 10 years under its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program.
As the Philippines’ largest power distributor, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is spearheading a major digital and technological shift in the energy sector—paving the way for a smarter, more resilient, and sustainable power future.
With over eight million customers, Meralco is modernizing its century-old distribution system to address the rapidly changing energy landscape. This transformation responds to emerging challenges such as evolving consumer demands, the integration of renewable energy sources, cybersecurity risks, and the growing impact of climate change.
Meralco highlighted its role in shaping the country’s energy future during the 2025 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain—one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings in the ICT industry. With the theme “Converge. Connect. Create.”, this year’s MWC provided a global platform for Meralco to showcase its comprehensive digital roadmap and reaffirm its leadership in the Philippine energy transition.
MERALCO LEADS IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE PHILIPPINE ENERGY SECTOR. The participation of the Meralco delegation at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona underscores its commitment to leading the digital transformation of the Philippine energy sector. In photo are (L-R) Meralco senior vice president and chief revenue officer Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco first vice president and information, communications, technology and transformation head Rocky D. Bacani, Meralco head of category management Luisito B. Acuña, Meralco ICT telecommunications engineering head Jan Glen P. Elizalde.
Introducing the 7Ds digital transformation strategy
At the core of Meralco’s presentation was its 7Ds Digital Transformation Strategy, a holistic blueprint for building a modernized, future-ready power distribution network. This strategy includes seven interconnected pillars:
- Digital Customer
- Digital Grid
- Digital Employee
- Digital Enterprise
- Data Platforms and AI
- Digital Infrastructure
- Digital Communications
“This is not just about delivering electricity—it’s about building a smarter, more inclusive energy future,” said Rocky D. Bacani, first vice president and head of ICT and Transformation. “By weaving these digital threads into our operations, we aim to improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, and enable intelligent, data-driven decisions.”
A new era for customers with the My Meralco App
EMPOWERING CUSTOMERS THROUGH APPLIANCE CALCULATOR. Meralco launched the new Appliance Calculator in February 2025, enabling customers to better manage their electricity use. It is available in the My Meralco app, which provides information on the power consumption of gadgets and appliances.
Among the strategy’s key milestones is the launch of the revamped My Meralco App in February. The app empowers users with real-time updates, personalized insights, and seamless access to essential services like billing, payments, and service applications.
“We’re scaling customer engagement through technology,” said Ferdinand O. Geluz, senior vice president and chief revenue officer. “The app supports one million new customers annually—without the need to expand our physical footprint.”
The response has been strong, with 66.7% of customer transactions now processed through digital channels. Meralco has already onboarded 2.4 million customers to the new digital platform.
Building a smarter grid
To support this transformation, Meralco continues to invest heavily in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)—a system of smart meters, communication networks, and data platforms that allow two-way communication between the utility and its customers.
Since 2013, Meralco has been integrating smart meters to provide real-time consumption data, helping customers make more informed choices about energy use. Over the next four years, the utility plans to install 3.5 million smart meters and 3,600 distribution automation devices, with the goal of reaching nearly 11 million smart meters in 10 years.
This modernization improves outage response, enhances grid reliability, and boosts operational efficiency—laying the groundwork for a more intelligent energy network.
MERALCO’S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY. Meralco first vice president and head of information, communication, technology and transformation Rocky D. Bacani bared the company’s comprehensive 7Ds Digital Transformation Strategy at MWC 2025. The strategy lays down the groundwork to modernize its distribution network for a smarter, more resilient, and sustainable electricity service.
Strengthening connectivity and AI integration
To enable real-time communication across its network, Meralco is rolling out robust connectivity solutions including High-Speed Power Line Communication (HPLC) for vertical residential buildings, public telecom networks, and narrowband IoT solutions for hard-to-reach areas.
Additionally, Meralco has transitioned to a Wireless Private Network (WPN) using Private LTE, significantly increasing bandwidth and reducing latency for mission-critical grid operations.
The company is now advancing to the next phase of digital transformation: cloud enablement, integrated resource management, and enhanced data visualization. These efforts are designed to support analytics and AI-powered decision-making across the organization.
“AI will drive a 50% increase in network and service efficiency,” said Geluz. “We’ll eliminate the need for physical site visits during grid events, enabling faster, smarter responses.”
A future powered by innovation
DRIVING TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. Meralco senior vice president and chief revenue officer Ferdinand O. Geluz said the company is establishing an end-to-end smart grid and digitalized network with customer centricity at its core.
Meralco’s presence at MWC 2025 highlights its commitment to redefining the energy sector through innovation and digitalization. Through the 7Ds strategy, Meralco is not only upgrading infrastructure but also transforming how energy is delivered and experienced.
“As we embrace new technologies, we remain focused on our mission: to power Filipino lives with electricity that is reliable, secure, affordable, and sustainable,” Geluz added.
By championing smarter solutions and customer-first innovations, Meralco is ensuring that every home, business, and community in the Philippines is equipped for a brighter, more connected energy future.