Meralco seeks PCC nod in supply deals

Manila Electric Co. has asked the Philippine Competition Commission to review its planned bidding for 1,250 megawatts of supply. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Following a big-ticket liquefied natural gas (LNG) transaction entered into by the country’s tycoons, power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is subjecting for review of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) a planned competitive bidding for 1,250 megawatts of power supply.

Meralco is the first distribution utility to seek the PCC’s assessment of its competitive selection process (CSP), according to the Department of Energy (DOE).

READ: PCC green lights $3.3-B LNG facility, with conditions

The development came after the antitrust body approved a $3.3-billion transaction involving an LNG facility in Batangas province. In December last year, the PCC announced approving the deal among Meralco PowerGen Corp., Aboitiz Power Corp. and San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., subject to certain conditions set under a five-year period to prevent collusion or unfair practices.

The PCC said it would also oversee Meralco’s CSP to ensure that this would be held in a transparent manner and that entities chosen in the process operate independently of their parent companies.

Meralco senior vice president and head of regulatory management Jose Ronald Valles confirmed the listed firm’s move “to ask for [PCC] comments before filing it with DOE.”

Meralco earlier said it planned to conduct a competitive bidding for its renewable energy supply needs: 200 MW starting Jan. 26, 2026, and 600 MW beginning Feb. 26, 2028.

Valles said the company was also preparing to launch another CSP covering 450-MW of mid-merit capacity, which could take place in the third quarter of the year.

Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan explained that the interagency coordination with PCC was needed to avoid conflicts, especially if they have differing decisions.