Meralco fixes up Caloocan substation to prevent power shortages
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has upgraded its Camarin Substation to support growing electricity demand in North Caloocan and parts of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 17, Meralco said the upgrade involved the installation of an 83-megavolt-ampere (MVA) power transformer bank, 34.5-kilovolt (kV) gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), four 115 kV power circuit breakers, and eight 115 kV disconnect switches.
The project is designed to strengthen operational efficiency and support key areas, including Maynilad Water Services – La Mesa Water, SM Deparo, SM San Jose del Monte, Regan Industrial Sales Inc., and Converge J3 Caloocan DC.
Meralco said the enhancement reflects its ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality service, as the company continues to invest heavily in upgrading its electricity distribution system.
As of last year, Meralco has improved its distribution network by energizing four new substation, expanded seven of its facilities, uprated four sub-transmission lines, and replaced three switch gears in its service areas.
About 1,299 electric poles for government infrastructure projects have been relocated in 2025. These activities were said to enhance grid reliability, operations, and overall capacity. Its system loss in 2025 was at 5.85 percent, which is below the regulatory cap.
Currently, Meralco is the country’s largest power distribution company, providing electricity to millions of customers across Metro Manila and key provinces, including Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, and Pampanga. The utility plays a critical role in powering residential, commercial, and industrial areas, ensuring a reliable electricity supply while continuously investing in system upgrades and infrastructure improvements to meet the growing energy demand.
This month, electricity rates rose by ₱0.6427 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), bringing the effective rate on consumers’ bills to ₱13.8161 per kWh. This was due to higher transmission rates and increased power demand as the country enters the summer months.