Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has deployed the Philippines’ first 34.5-kilovolt (kV) mobile switchgear, giving the country’s largest power distributor a portable tool for upgrading substations while keeping customers supplied with electricity.
The trailer-mounted switchgear, equipped with one bus-tie, three feeder breakers and protective equipment, can be moved between locations as needed, allowing Meralco to manage planned equipment replacements and emergency requirements with less risk of prolonged service interruptions.
The company, led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, said the equipment is currently deployed at its Sun Valley Substation in Parañaque City, where it is temporarily serving three feeders while Meralco replaces the existing 34.5-kV GIS No. 1.
The arrangement allows the utility to proceed with the substation upgrade while maintaining electricity service to key customers in nearby areas.
“Our priority is to maintain reliable power service to our customers, even as we upgrade and modernize our facilities,” Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet said.
“With this mobile switchgear, we can carry out critical equipment replacements while minimizing service disruptions,” Savet said, adding that the equipment can be redeployed to other locations, allowing more customers to benefit from the investment.
Unlike conventional switchgear permanently installed in substations, the mobile unit can be transported and connected where temporary switching capacity is required. This gives Meralco added flexibility as it replaces aging equipment, responds to emergencies or carries out network improvements.
The deployment forms part of Meralco’s continuing investment in distribution infrastructure as it modernizes its network and seeks to improve reliability amid rising electricity demand.
The company said the mobile switchgear will provide an additional option for maintaining service continuity during major equipment replacement and other critical network works.
