Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest power distributor, plans to expand its underground power distribution network by an additional 1,500 circuit kilometers by 2030.

Meralco first vice president and head of Networks Froilan J. Savet has told told reporters that the plan will help improve system resiliency, reduce widespread outages, and protect critical economic zones from weather disruptions.

“We have plans in our capital expenditure program for an additional 1,500 circuit kilometers of underground cables,” Savet said. “These will include greenfield projects in coordination with real estate developers and identified sites where we can go underground, particularly key value areas like financial districts, commercial centers, heritage sites, tourist spots, and areas frequently hit by typhoons.”

He said the timeline for the expansion is set over the medium term.

“Indicative timeline is medium term, up to 2030, subject, of course, to permitting and right of way,” Savet said, adding that close coordination with local government units and national agencies will be required.

Meralco currently operates 567 circuit kilometers of underground distribution lines in major commercial areas, including Bonifacio Global City, Rockwell, Makati, Greenfield, Entertainment City, the Mall of Asia complex, Bridgetowne, Vertis North, and parts of Pasay and Manila.

These are mostly in master-planned or greenfield developments, where utilities are laid out in advance and are easier to coordinate.

Savet said underground cabling is harder to implement in older or brownfield areas where existing utility lines make excavation and relocation more complex.

While underground lines offer better protection from weather disruptions, Savet said they are far more expensive and difficult to build.

He estimated they cost “10 times” more than overhead lines and require cost-sharing with developers, similar to the setup in Bonifacio Global City.

As such, “97 percent” of Meralco’s network remains overhead since underground systems are considered nonstandard by the Energy Regulatory Commission.