Meralco taps Hubbell unit for 72,000 smart meters to accelerate AMI rollout

Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has partnered with Hubbell Inc. subsidiary Aclara Meters Philippines, Inc. to deploy more than 72,000 smart meters this year, advancing the utility giant’s push to modernize its distribution network.

The two companies formalized the smart meter supply agreement during a ceremonial signing at the Meralco Operating Center in Pasig City, marking a major step in the company’s long-term Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program.

Aclara Meters Philippines President and General Manager Waldo Darvin said the collaboration underscores a shared commitment to practical, secure, and scalable innovation.

“Our partnership with Meralco reflects our commitment to operational excellence. We are ready to deploy the resources, people, processes, and technology needed to ensure a reliable and smooth rollout of smart meters,” Darvin said.

The Aclara smart meters will be deployed across Meralco’s franchise area and are designed to support real-time monitoring, remote meter reading, and enhanced grid intelligence. The technology enables faster outage detection, remote connection and disconnection, and smarter energy management for both households and businesses.

Meralco said smart meters strengthen its ability to measure and analyze customer-level energy usage in real time, improving service efficiency and reliability while giving consumers greater visibility and control over their power consumption.

The latest deployment supports Meralco’s plan to install around 12 million smart meters over the next decade under its AMI program. To date, the company has rolled out approximately 196,000 smart meters across its network.

Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet highlighted the role of AMI in the company’s upcoming Grid-Edge Operations and Control Center (GEOCC), which is expected to be operational in the next few years. The facility will integrate low-voltage conditions into daily grid operations, allowing the system to adapt as distributed energy resources, residential batteries, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure expand.

“These technologies are designed to enhance secondary network visibility as energy use patterns continue to evolve,” Savet said, noting that the GEOCC will complement Meralco’s existing System Control Center focused on high-voltage facilities.

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho said the partnership reinforces Meralco’s customer-centric digital transformation strategy.

“Smart metering sits at the core of how we deliver reliable service and empower consumers with better tools to manage their energy use. These are not just electronic devices — they are enablers of transparency, efficiency, and innovation,” Aperocho said.