Meralco to power PLDT’s largest hyperscale data center in Laguna

MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) on Thursday announced the construction of a custom-designed substation to serve PLDT, Inc.’s hyperscale data center in Laguna.

In a media release, Meralco said that aside from providing “resilient and flexible” power to the telecommunications company’s 11th hyperscale data center, the substation will have the capacity to scale up and cater to the growing power demand through additional power banks.

This substation design will ensure service continuity that goes beyond the standard requirements of the TIA-942 Rated 3 coverage, Meralco said.

“The new Meralco substation is designed to support the distinct power requirements of this VITRO Sta. Rosa hyperscale data center through the delivery of safe, adequate, reliable, and high-quality electricity service, consistent with our commitment to our 7.4 million customers,” Meralco Senior Vice-President and Head of Networks Ronnie L. Aperocho said in a statement.

Meanwhile, PLDT President and Chief Executive Officer Alfredo S. Panlilio said VITRO Sta. Rosa, the company’s hyperscale data center, is seen to “set the benchmark in infrastructure resilience, operational excellence, global competitiveness, and world-class sustainability.”

Meralco President and Chief Executive Officer Ray C. Atienza said the partnership is “timely” as the power provider has committed to source 1,500 megawatts from clean energy sources in the next five years.

VITRO Sta. Rosa is designed to be energy efficient utilizing the latest innovations in cooling and power redundancy. It is Tier-3 certified and Tier-4 ready, and has the highest level of network diversity and resilience with at least three fiber routes from PLDT, augmented by routes from other carriers, Meralco said.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.

Meralco shares at the local bourse went up P5.40 or 1.47% on Thursday to close at P373.60 apiece. — Marielle C. Lucenio