The Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the country’s largest electric distribution utility, is accelerating the shift to a cleaner and smarter energy future through its flagship Greening the Network (GTN) program.
Launched in 2022 and anchored on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), GTN is transforming Meralco’s distribution infrastructure by replacing traditional materials with eco-friendly alternatives, phasing out high-emission equipment, and integrating renewable energy at scale.
Driving Sustainable Innovation
Meralco has already adopted earth-friendly insulating fluids across nearly 60,000 distribution transformers—or one-fourth of its fleet—by using natural ester oil (NEO), a 99% biodegradable solution derived from renewable crops like soybean and corn. The company has also deployed its first ester oil-filled substation transformer and 12 NEO-insulated voltage regulators, pioneering safer and more sustainable grid technologies.
In parallel, Meralco is transitioning from lead-acid to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a safer and longer-lasting alternative, with full adoption across all substations targeted by 2030.
Best-in-Class Emissions Management
The company also leads the power sector in sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) emissions management, achieving a leakage rate of just 0.30%—well below the 0.50% industry benchmark—while introducing low-emission switchgear to further cut greenhouse gas impacts.
Greener Infrastructure and Waste Reduction
To phase out hazardous infrastructure, Meralco has replaced more than 21,000 creosote-treated wooden poles with concrete and steel alternatives. At the same time, it is reducing plastic waste through reuse optimization, smaller meter seals, and the pilot use of biodegradable meter bags in its operations.
Expanding Renewable Energy Integration
As of 2024, Meralco has interconnected 729 MW of renewable capacity through embedded generation, net metering, microgrids, and battery energy storage systems. By 2027, it aims to scale this to 1.3 GW, reinforcing its role as a key driver of the Philippines’ clean energy transition.
Powering a Low-Carbon Future
“These milestones demonstrate Meralco’s commitment to embed sustainability at the core of our operations while ensuring reliable, affordable, and future-ready energy solutions. Through Greening the Network, we are not only making our system more sustainable but also powering a low-carbon future for the country,” said Froilan J. Savet, Meralco First Vice President and Head of Networks.
Now on its 122nd year, Meralco continues to put sustainability at the heart of its mission through its overarching agenda, Powering the Good Life, anchored on four pillars—Power, Planet, People, and Prosperity. The Greening the Network program stands as a testament to this commitment, showing how sustainability and innovation go hand in hand to shape the Philippines’ clean energy future.