Meralco, partners to build P1-B facility for New Clark City

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and its partners plan to spend around P1 billion to build the facilities for power distribution services in New Clark City in Tarlac.

The budget for the New Clark City distribution infrastructure is seen at “P1 billion more or less,” Meralco senior vice president Rogelio Singson said.

The consortium – of Meralco, Marubeni Corp., Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. and Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc. – is looking to put up a smart distribution network that is underground, similar to that of Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

However, the initial phase will be overhead distribution lines to serve the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in November. 

“The plan is underground, smart city, yes. But not immediately, until you have the consumption,” Singson said.

For the initial phase, he said they are projecting a demand of 10 to 14 megawatts (MW) for New Clark City.

“There are no movements for the offices yet. It’s all focused on the athlete’s village of the SEA Games. And the events there will only be track and field, and swimming. The opening ceremonies will not even be there,” Singson said.

New Clark City will house a world-class sports complex in time for the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 SEA Games.

The consortium was given the notice of award by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) last Jan. 18, after getting the lowest offer at P0.6188 per kilowatt hour (kwh) for power distribution in New Clark City.

For now, Meralco is in discussion with the BCDA to formulate plans for the utilities in the city.

“We continue to dialog with BCDA to help them out after given the award,” Singson said. “We’re helping them out in terms of specifications, so when it is eventually turned over to Meralco, it is acceptable.”

New Clark City is envisioned to be the country’s first smart, disaster-resilient, and sustainable city.

Because of its strategic location in Northwest Luzon, it is being positioned as one of the solutions to decongesting Metro Manila as several government agencies would be relocated there and is among the priority projects in the government’s infrastructure plan.

The planned community spans 9,450 hectares and is estimated to house up to 1.12 million people.

The first phase of the development covering 60 hectares will feature the National Government Administrative Center, where at least 21 government offices are currently being considered for relocation to Clark.