Meralco to energize remote Quezon island

MANILA, Philippines — A brighter Christmas awaits homes and businesses on Cagbalete Island in Quezon as power giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) gears up to deliver round-the-clock electricity through its hybrid microgrid project.

Meralco, which powers Metro Manila and nearby provinces, has signed the Cagbalete Microgrid Service Contract with National Power Corp. (Napocor) after the Department of Energy approved its proposal.

Targeted for operation this month, the Cagbalete microgrid project is poised to become the largest of its kind in the Philippines when fully built out over the next three years.

A microgrid system is a localized energy network with clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as an integrated power generation and distribution system.

The project features a 2.8-megawatt-peak solar photovoltaic system, 6.69 MW-hour battery storage and four 250-kiloWatt diesel backup units, providing electricity to over 1,000 homes, businesses and essential facilities.

Through the contract with Napocor, the project is set to benefit from subsidies under the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification, a fund collected from all power consumers to support electrification in remote and off-grid areas.

“With the launch of the Cagbalete microgrid, we reaffirm Meralco’s commitment to powering progress with sustainable energy solutions, ensuring that no one is left in the dark,” Meralco executive vice president and COO Ronnie Aperocho said.

“Through this collaboration, more households will have a brighter Christmas, and soon, the entire island will benefit from stable and reliable electricity that will power their lives for the better,” he added.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, who witnessed the ceremonial signing, emphasized the project’s importance in bringing “dignity, opportunity and a fair chance at development for every Filipino family.”

“Cagbalete Island is proof that off-grid communities do not have to be left behind. With the right policies and partnerships, we can power inclusive growth, support local industries and give our people the tools they need to build a better future,” Garin said.

Earlier, Energy Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said over 200 areas across the country need microgrid system developers.