Meralco backs RE goals with QC, ERC collaboration

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), led by Manuel V. Pangilinan, has partnered with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Quezon City local government to launch a new initiative aimed at expanding the use of renewable energy (RE) in Metro Manila.

The tripartite agreement was signed to support the national government’s targets of increasing the share of renewable energy in the country’s power supply mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. The partnership focuses on developing public-private models to help meet these ambitious goals.

For Quezon City, the project aligns with its sustainability agenda as a member of C40 Cities — a global network of mayors committed to addressing climate change.

“One of our core priorities in Quezon City has always been to make energy cleaner, more reliable, and more accessible not just for our whole operations but for households and businesses in our city,” said Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte. “Through this agreement with ERC and Meralco, we’re putting systems in place, clear processes, better coordination, and stronger support so that more stakeholders can take part in our clean energy transition.”

The initiative aims to streamline applications for net-metering and distributed energy resources (DER), while also raising public awareness on RE programs and policies.

Under the net-metering program, customers with eligible RE systems, such as solar rooftop panels, can export excess electricity to the grid and receive bill credits. As of end-July, Quezon City has nearly 2,500 net-metering customers—the highest number and largest aggregated capacity among all areas within Meralco’s franchise.

To further support the initiative, Meralco will establish a service booth at the Quezon City Hall Compound, staffed by personnel who will assist with net metering and DER applications and offer other utility services.

Quezon City LGU will provide logistical support for the initiative, while the ERC will offer regulatory and technical guidance to ensure proper implementation.

“The net metering program is one of the best examples of how we can empower ordinary Filipinos to participate directly in crafting our nation’s energy destiny,” said outgoing ERC Chairperson Monalisa C. Dimalanta.

Meralco also pledged to share its expertise on net-metering interconnection and DER systems. The company will provide technical experts to assist in public education efforts.

Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz said the agreement represents “a shared vision and responsibility to advancing renewable energy and to shaping the path forward towards consumer empowerment and demand management.”

“As we move forward, Meralco remains fully committed in reinforcing our support to the government’s initiatives and thrust in renewable energy and energy transition and in making a lasting impact — not just in the lives of our customers but to the progress of our nation,” Geluz added.

This collaboration builds on Meralco’s broader commitment to sustainability. A similar initiative was recently launched with the ERC and the Pasig City LGU — underscoring the utility firm’s push to scale up RE adoption across its franchise areas.