Meralco seeks power producers for 600 megawatts of baseload capacity
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest power distributor, began the competitive bidding process to secure 600 megawatts of baseload power supply, aiming to safeguard electricity reliability for its growing customer base.
In a statement, Meralco said the utility received a certificate of conformity from the Department of Energy (DOE) to proceed with the competitive selection process. The move follows more than a year of review by state regulators and aligns with the power distributor’s latest government-approved procurement plan.
Under the terms of the bidding, the winning power generation companies will sign a 15-year power supply agreement. The contract structures the capacity delivery in two phases: an initial 300 megawatts must be online by Feb. 26, 2028, followed by an additional 300 megawatts by Feb. 26, 2029. The final implementation remains subject to regulatory approval by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Meralco’s bids and awards committee has set a July 14 deadline for generation companies to submit their expressions of interest. The utility will hold a pre-bid conference on July 28, with the final deadline for bid submissions scheduled for Sept. 1.
The bidding process will be technology-neutral, allowing any generation technology that meets Meralco's technical and commercial standards to compete. However, all offers must comply with the Department of Energy’s energy mix guidelines under a department circular issued earlier this year. The bidding framework is designed to prioritize a least-cost outcome, ensuring that retail electricity rates remain competitive while maintaining grid stability.
Securing long-term baseload capacity is critical for Meralco, which serves the country's main economic hub, including Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. The competitive selection process is mandated by Philippine regulations to prevent bilateral sweetheart deals and ensure transparency in power procurement.
The competitive process reflects Meralco's ongoing commitment to securing a reliable, adequate, and competitively priced power supply for its customers through transparent procurement, Lawrence S. Fernandez, chairman of Meralco’s bids and awards committee for power supply agreements, said in the statement. (Gabriell Christel Galang)