MANILA, Philippines — Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Aboitiz Power Corp. are keen on investing in a new distribution utility in partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) for New Clark City, touted as the next growth center in Luzon.
In a text message, Meralco senior vice president Alfredo Panlilio said the power distributor is interested in partnering with BCDA.
Participating in the bidding will be through Meralco itself, he said.
To note, Meralco operates Clark Electric Distribution Corp. (CEDC), the sole electric distribution company in the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga.
Meralco is the country’s largest power distributor and its franchise area covers Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal, as well as certain areas in Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, and Quezon.
Meanwhile, AboitizPower president and chief operating officer Antonio Moraza said the power firm would also take a look at the potential partnership with BCDA.
“We will look at scope and see,” he said.
AboitizPower is one of the largest electricity distributors in the country with ownership interests in seven distribution utilities including the second and third largest in the country.
Visayan Electric Co. Inc. (VECO), jointly owned by AboitizPower and Vivant Corp., is the second largest distribution utility in the Philippines, serving the electricity needs of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga and four municipalities of the greater part of Metro Cebu.
AboitizPower also owns Davao Light and Power Co., the third largest privately-owned electric utility in the country which holds the franchise for distributing electric power to Davao City, Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali, and Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte.
Earlier this month, the BCDA started the tender process for the selection of joint venture partners to design, build, finance, operate and maintain power and water distribution in New Clark City.
A pre-eligibility conference was set on May 29 at the BCDA office in Bonifacio Global City. BCDA targets to award the contracts by September.
The 9,450-hectare New Clark City is envisioned to be the country’s first smart, disaster-resilient, and sustainable city.
The first phase of the development covering 60 hectares will feature the National Government Administrative Center that will house back-up offices of various government agencies and a world-class sports complex being constructed in time for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
The new metropolis will also have mixed-use of residential, commercial, agro-industrial, educational institutions, and other information technology developments.