The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has completed major substation upgrade projects valued at a combined ₱683.74 million in the first quarter of 2025, enhancing electricity reliability in several high-growth areas across Luzon, including Bonifacio Global City, Makati, and Laguna.
The upgrades were aimed at supporting increasing power demand and improving service flexibility for both industrial and institutional customers. The initiatives form part of the utility’s broader infrastructure investment strategy amid continued commercial expansion in its franchise area.
The most significant of the upgrades was the energization of the 115 kV-34 kV Mesaland substation in March, a ₱268.84-million project designed to accommodate load growth in Laguna’s Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao, and Calamba, as well as Cavite’s Silang and Tagaytay City. Key customers benefiting from the project include Ayala Malls Nuvali, The Medical City South Luzon, and the Adventist University of the Philippines.
Earlier in January, Meralco completed the ₱226.49-million upgrade of the Fort Bonifacio Global City-2 Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation. The expansion enhances supply reliability for major clients such as the Department of Energy, St. Luke’s Medical Center, and Market Market in Taguig’s central business district.
In February, Meralco also completed expanding the Malinta GIS substation in Valenzuela at a cost of ₱188.41 million, ensuring stable power supply for manufacturing and educational facilities, including Johnson Manufacturing Co. and St. Jude Academy.
Each of the projects involved the installation of 83 MVA power transformers and 34.5 kV GIS units, reinforcing Meralco’s capacity to meet rising demand.
As of end-March 2025, Meralco reported servicing 8.1 million customer accounts, maintaining its position as the Philippines’ largest power distribution utility. The Department of Energy noted that Meralco’s service area spans nearly 10,000 square kilometers, covering 39 cities and 72 municipalities and accounting for approximately half of the nation’s electricity demand.
