At the recently concluded Giga Summit 2025: The Fusion of Power and Intelligence, Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) emphasized the significance of the strategic convergence of smart technology and power in shaping the future of the Philippine energy sector.

Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer and Meralco Power Academy (MPA) president Ronnie L. Aperocho said in his speech that artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role in the transformation of its distribution network.

Future-proofing

“We are future-proofing Meralco’s distribution network through layers of different initiatives driven by innovation, big data and analytics, and powered by artificial intelligence,” he stated.

Among Meralco’s key innovation initiatives are the Wireless Private Network meant to enhance the grid automation and security; the Meralco Data Platform which uses big data

and AI to streamline operations; and the Meralco Interactive Data Assistant or MIDAS, the company’s AI-powered interactive assistant.

Revolutionizing sustainable operations

These efforts aim to revolutionize sustainable operations, enhance resilience, and elevate customer experience through smart technologies and data-driven systems.

“Our theme, The Fusion of Power and Intelligence, captures the reality that infrastructure and technology must go hand-in-hand with vision, policy, and people,” he underscored.

The 2-day Giga Summit 2025 was held last April 24 and 25 at The Fifth at Rockwell in Makati City.

Giga Summit is a biennial event organized by MPA and is one of the premier platforms for fostering knowledge exchange among industry leaders, policymakers, and local and international experts highlighting the latest innovations and best practices shaping the evolving energy landscape.