Meralco seeks more SMEs as Biz Partners

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) targets to close at least 1,000 deals within the year with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under its peak/off peak program in its Biz Partners segment to aid in their expansion and electricity consumption management.

Meralco Biz Partners assistant vice president and head Ma. Cecilia Domingo said they are targeting 10 to 20 percent of their total customers to shift to the peak/off-peak program.

“We want at least 1,000 to 2,000 customers of the total 80,000 we have under Meralco Biz Partners,” she said.

These businesses, which consume between five kilowatts and 499 kw a month, can save between 10 to 20 percent on their power costs if they enroll in the program, Domingo noted.

Under the peak/off-peak program, qualified businesses can move their operations to off-peak hours when electricity generation charges are cheaper.

Off-peak hours run from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. from Monday to Saturday and 12 mn to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 12 mn on Sundays.

Businesses that can avail of the program include call centers, cold storage facilities and manufacturing plants.

The program is, however, limited to customers within Meralco’s franchise area, Meralco Biz Partners Alabang-Cavite Zone officer Lauren Joseph Velasco said.

“We’re trying to expand but our services are within the franchise area. We are focused on growing the franchise area in number of customers, reach, coverage,” he said.

The power distributor currently serves customers in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal, as well as certain areas in Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga and Quezon.

Domingo said businesses that will enroll in the program will be installed with specialized meters that take note of hourly consumption.