First Philec, Inc., of the Lopez Group and Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) are exploring steps they can undertake in the future as part of coordinated, next-generation solutions to help decarbonize the local power industry.

Meralco officials attended a two-day gathering, called “First Philec-Meralco Sustainability Conference,” which First Philec hosted recently inside a beach and nature club in Bataan to discuss possible strategies and solutions both companies can implement in pursuit of their shared vision of a sustainable and reliable power grid.

Topics shared at the conference included greening the supply chain, digital transformation, and the launch of alternative products and services.

Meralco, the country’s biggest distribution utility (DU), is pursuing the Smart Grid Project as part of efforts to improve the reliability and resiliency of the grid, empower customers, and integrate sustainability into the system.

First Philec, Southeast Asia’s largest high efficiency distribution transformer manufacturer, launched in the market last year a super green transformer model made from 100 percent recyclable and biodegradable materials.

“The main objective of the conference was to co-create and co-develop strategies and solutions that address sustainability challenges in the grid,” First Philec’s Head of Customer Development Luis Trinidad said.

“By sharing information about our respective programs, the conference helped to align and support these programs, hopefully, for fast-track implementation,” Trinidad explained.  “The approaches and initiatives that we tackled at the conference, including those in the pipeline, may comprise the next generation decarbonization solutions of both First Philec and Meralco.”

First Philec’s new transformer model not only allows customers to reduce their carbon footprint, but it also offers the highest efficiency in its class, not to mention an extended product life and use. These advantages likewise help customers save on their electricity expenses.

“First Philec’s launch of the green transformer and its offer of services to Meralco form part of the company’s adherence to the Lopez Group’s new mission: ‘Forging collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future,’” the First Philec official added.

According to Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Ronnie Aperocho, “Meralco’s vision of the Grid of the Future has the capability to self-heal and operate resiliently against natural disasters and attacks.”  

Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond Ravelo (left) stresses a point, while First Philec President Ariel Ong (center) listens intently with Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Ronnie Aperocho during one session of the two-day First Philec-Meralco Sustainability Conference held recently in Bataan.

For his part, Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond Ravelo explained that,  “a smart and sustainable grid can safely and seamlessly tap distributed energy resources – such as renewables and energy storage systems – aside from allowing customers to actively participate in vehicle-to-grid, vehicle-to-home, and other energy efficiency programs,” added.