Manila: Manila Electric Company (Meralco) aims to energize the around 2,000 to 3,000 households in its service area that are located in Department of Environment and Natural Resources-protected sites starting in 2026. In an interview Thursday, Meralco chief revenue officer Ferdinand Geluz stated that they cannot put up power lines in protected areas such as those in Tanay, Rizal and Mauban, Quezon, the usual mode to connect customers to the power grid.

According to Philippines News Agency, Geluz revealed that a proposed solution involves the use of solar home systems. This plan has been filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and once approved, aims to install a solar battery system in each household. Geluz explained that the customers will be charged a fixed rate, not based on monthly consumption, since usage will depend on the capacity of the solar batteries.

He noted that the system operates on a plug-and-play mode, with solar panels to be installed on the roofs of households. The project is estimated to cost around PHP143 million, with the number of projected beneficiaries based on the 2020 census. The average consumption for these households is estimated to be around 20 to 30 kilowatts (kw) per month. Geluz mentioned that implementation could start as early as next year.

The Meralco official added that funding for the program has been included in the company's capital expenditures. However, the company cannot procure the needed materials until ERC approval is obtained. Despite having some households in its service area without power, Geluz emphasized that Meralco boasts one of the highest electrification rates in the country at 99.97 percent.