MORE Electric and Power Corp. is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across its distribution network, part of a capital intensive push to modernize infrastructure and keep pace with the surging energy demands of Iloilo City.

The utility provider is embedding AI-driven analytics and advanced metering infrastructure into its core operations, a move designed to sharpen outage detection and grant consumers granular control over their monthly electricity spending.

The initiative represents a shift toward a "self-healing" grid. By deploying AI-powered diagnostics, MORE Power can identify technical faults and network vulnerabilities before they escalate into widespread blackouts.

The system facilitates remote reconnection and provides engineers with real-time data visibility, significantly reducing the "mean time to repair" for service disruptions. This digital overhaul is paired with a physical upgrade of control centers, where smart grid solutions now allow for automated monitoring that was previously dependent on manual reporting.

Beyond operational reliability, the rollout of smart meters aims to eliminate the information gap for residential and commercial users. These meters provide real-time insights into energy consumption, allowing Iloilo residents to adjust their usage patterns to avoid bill shock.

Roel Z. Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer of MORE Power, said the introduction of AI and AMI is a strategic step toward transparency.

He noted that the company is not merely reacting to current demand but is future-proofing the city's energy system to create a resilient, sustainable electricity grid that can withstand the pressures of the coming decade.

The technological transition also serves as a hedge against labor inefficiency. By automating routine monitoring and data collection, the utility is redirecting its workforce toward high-value maintenance and complex field operations.

Management emphasized that this automation is intended to augment the existing staff’s capabilities rather than replace them, ensuring job stability while improving overall system uptime.

The digital strategy is backed by a robust expansion of physical assets. MORE Power is currently financing the construction of new substations to reach rapidly developing districts, including Santa Barbara and San Miguel.

These investments are specifically targeted at Iloilo’s second and fourth congressional districts, where commercial activity has outpaced older infrastructure. To align with national environmental mandates, the company is also diversifying its procurement mix to include a higher percentage of renewable energy.

These systemic upgrades arrive as the utility prepares for a tighter regulatory environment and seeks to secure its position as a leading model for provincial power distribution in the Philippines.