Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is allotting PHP 149.66 billion (USD 2.9 billion) for its capital expenditure (capex) program in the next four years. On a per year basis, Meralco has set a capex budget of PHP 37.53 billion (USD 718.9 million) for 2023; PHP 43.5 billion (USD 833.3 million) for 2024; PHP 36.37 billion (USD 696.7 million) for 2025 and PHP 32.25 billion (USD 617.8 million) for 2026.
An application has been filed by Meralco for the approval of its proposed capex projects for the 5th Regulatory Period with the clarification that the proposed capex amounts are still subject to the hearing and approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Meralco said the proposed capex projects are necessary to augment the capacity of the network to meet demand growth or new customer requirements. The capex projects will include the following:
- Replacement and refurbishment of aging and obsolete assets, as well as the relocation of assets needed for the implementation of government infrastructure and third-party initiated projects.
- Purchase and construction of non-network assets required for the normal efficient operation of the electric distribution system.
- Deployment of automation and technology projects, as well as innovative solutions for various electrification projects.
- Implementation of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program for more than two million customers aligned with the objective of deploying a reliable, efficient, and intelligent distribution grid.
(Source: The Philippine Star)
