Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and its power generation arm are partnering with Vietnam-based VinEnergo Energy Joint Stock Co. (VinEnergo) to explore about five gigawatts (GW) worth of renewable energy (RE) projects in the Philippines.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 23, Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) said it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to study RE-based solutions that could produce up to five GW of baseload-equivalent capacity.
This is expected to include the rollout of approximately 25 GW of integrated RE and energy storage capacity.
MGEN President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emmanuel Rubio said this forms part of the company’s efforts to pursue more opportunities to ensure sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy.
“Through this MOU, we look forward to assessing how large-scale RE, storage, and related infrastructure can contribute to the country's evolving energy requirements,” Rubio said.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing clean energy and strengthening long-term energy security. We also look forward to exploring broader opportunities for collaboration between Meralco, MGEN, VinEnergo and the Vingroup ecosystem to create lasting value for the communities we serve,” VinEnergo General Director Nguyen Anh Khoa said.
VinEnergo and its Manila partners will also look into electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, including residential, commercial, and fleet charging solutions. This would also include operational and commercial approaches that support the growing adoption of EVs in the country.
Additionally, any future projects or investments will be subject to further evaluation and new agreements, as these partnerships will depend on regulatory requirements, among other factors.
Ronnie Aperocho, Meralco’s executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO), said the partnership also aligns with the whole-of-industry approach to ensuring a cleaner energy transition.
“Through this partnership with MGEN and VinEnergo, we will leverage our respective capabilities and expertise to pursue opportunities that create transformative value, build a more resilient energy sector, help achieve the country’s long-term energy security goals, and contribute meaningfully to nation-building,” Aperocho said.