Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s biggest power distributor, is seeking bids for its 900-megawatt (MW) baseload supply needs, with delivery eyed to start by 2031.
This came as the Pangilinan-led group secured from the Department of Energy a certificate of conformity on the terms of reference for the planned power supply agreements (PSAs).
The utility giant said power generation firms wanting to participate in the auction may formally express their interest by Oct. 15.
The prebid conference is set for Nov. 6, while the bid submission deadline is on Dec. 9.
The 15-year PSAs would cover the delivery of 600-MW supply by Feb. 26, 2031, and an additional 300 MW by Feb. 26, 2032.
‘Through the CSP (competitive selection process), Meralco continues to secure sufficient and reliable power supply to meet the growing electricity needs of its customers,’ the firm said.
Earlier this month, Meralco said the subsidiaries of energy giants San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and AboitizPower had provided the best bids for its 600-MW supply requirement. They were Mariveles Power Gen Corp and Sual Power Inc, both under SMC’s power arm San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. Aboitiz Power’s GNPower Mariveles Energy Center likewise hoped to secure its win.
This round, which also sought 15-year power supply deals, would still be up for review and awaiting green light from power regulators.
Meralco seeks to have the initial 300-MW baseload supply by Feb. 26, 2028. The remaining capacity is aimed for Feb. 26, 2029.
Under its approved power supply procurement plan, Meralco plans to conduct a series of CSPs to procure a total of 3,100 MW of baseload and intermediate capacity for its electricity needs from 2028 to 2049.