Meralco, Ayala Land partner for a stable power in Vermosa area

MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) has started building a new substation at the Vermosa estate in Imus, Cavite that is aimed at ensuring reliable electricity service within the Ayala Land, Inc. project.

“This project is part of Meralco’s thrust to serve its customers, more so in planning all facilities requirements, which we can ramp up and forecast according to projected turnover, during the master planning stages,” said Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco first vice-president and head of customer retail services.

The 115 kilovolt (kV)-34.5kV substation will be located within Vermosa, a 725-hectare mixed use development along Daang Hari Road. It will house three transformer banks, each capable of generating 83 megavolt amperes (MVA) of power or a combined capacity of 249 MVA.

“This is a critical step to enhance the delivery of electricity services and ensure reliable power across all end users,” Mr. Geluz said.

Jay Teodoro, who heads Vermosa estate, said the partnership would make the project “move-in ready” with its own Meralco substation.

“For several years, we have worked hand in hand with Meralco in the master planning of our estates, offering key utilities to residents, locators and visitors,” he said.

The substation is set for full operations by December 2022. It will provide adequate capacity to accommodate new and additional load applications in the area. It will guarantee a smooth flow of electricity for Vermosa’s residential customers as well as its commercial and industrial accounts.

Meralco said having the substation “will guarantee operational switching flexibility” during contingencies and improve voltage regulation for Vermosa’s locators as well as peripheral developments in Imus.

Ronnie L. Aperocho, Meralco senior vice-president and head of networks, said the power provider is encouraging developers to work closely with it at the early stages of their planning.

“We are committed to provide the energy infrastructure to meet the projected growth of new communities, not just for timely energization, but to have the right facilities to meet their needs,” he said.

Vermosa, the fourth-largest estate of Ayala Land, is masterplanned to offer mixed-use components, including a range of horizontal residential options, a regional mall, a central business district, educational institutions, and leisure establishments.

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