Meralco boosts network in Makati business district

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has strengthened its network in the country’s prime business district, a ranking company official said over the weekend.

Meralco executive vice president and networks head Ricardo V. Buencamino said this is in line with the company’s efforts to keep pace with the robust growth in the Makati Central Business District (MCBD).

Buencamino said the company recently commissioned an additional 83MVA power transformer at its Legazpi 115 kV–34.5 kV Gas-Insulated switchgear (GIS) Substation.

The GIS substation, he said, was commissioned in 2006 with an initial capacity of 166MVA and currently loaded at 70 percent.

He said the additional 83MVA transformer capacity upgrades the Legazpi substation to its full capacity of 249MVA, which will be sufficient to meet the increasing power requirements in the area to support the ongoing upscale redevelopment of Ayala Center.

“The recently completed project will not just bring additional capacity, but will also further improve network reliability, switching flexibility and power quality. This is supportive of Makati City’s thrust to keep the business district tag as the prime location for investments. Strategically located at Legazpi Park, the substation also helps in the reduction of distribution technical losses because it is situated right in the middle of the load center of Makati’s financial and commercial district,” he said.

He said it is aesthetically appealing, as the substation’s architectural design and landscaping complemented by underground power cables make it blend with its surroundings.

Initially, he said the third 83MVA power transformer will be source to the newly-constructed distribution feeder (431RA) that will serve prime customers along Sotto and Dela Rosa Streets. Line construction works are under way for the commissioning of two additional feeders along Valero and San Agustin Streets within the year, and a fourth feeder along Gabildo Street by early next year. 

Customers that will benefit from these projects are the Indonesian Embassy, GSIS, Medical Towers, Ayala Center (Glorietta 3, 4 & 5), Philamlife Tower, JG Summit, Insular Life Building, PBCom, Smart, Globe Telecom, PLDT, Philippine Stock Exchange, Makati Medical Center, Greenbelt, Rustan’s Commercial Corporation, and Robinsons Land Corporation.

Said investment also supports Glorietta 1 and 2, District (Ayala Center) Cooling System, Fairmont Hotel, Raffles Suites and Residences, which have a combined power requirement of 32MVA and are all part of the ongoing redevelopment of Ayala Center.

Last Oct. 30, 2011, Meralco likewise commissioned a new 8.7 kilometer Balintawak-Sta Mesa 115kV Line that will bring additional capacity and further improve reliability of its subtransmission system drawing power from its Balintawak Delivery Point Substation.

Buencamino said “other significant projects, particularly the Expansion of Diliman Substation and Development of the New Calamba Substation inside the Light Industry Science Park II are also expected to be completed within the year.”

He said “Meralco’s heavy spending in upgrading its distribution system is proof of our commitment to continuously improve our service delivery and efficiency.”