Meralco partners with Itron to advance smart grid program

October 22, 2025
3:58PM PHT

Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has partnered with US-based Itron, Inc., a global leader in energy and water resource management, to accelerate the country’s smart grid modernization efforts.

Itron provides utilities and cities in over 100 countries with smart networks, meters, and sensors to improve efficiency and reliability in critical infrastructure services. 

This collaboration marks a major step in Meralco’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program, which aims to build a smarter, customer-centric, and more sustainable energy system aligned with the Philippines’ transition to a digital economy, the power distributor said in a press release.

Transforming power delivery with smart technology

“Itron is proud to be part of Meralco’s smart grid journey,” said John Marcolini, Itron SVP of networked solutions. 

“Our scalable Gen5 solution upgrades how Meralco delivers, measures, and manages electricity. It supports multiple meter brands, giving Meralco flexibility to scale without vendor lock-in—a crucial advantage for long-term deployment and cost efficiency.”

The AMI solution, part of Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence portfolio, uses an open IPv6-based network that integrates Gen5 mesh and cellular technologies. 

This enables real-time data communication between Meralco’s operations and customers, improving billing accuracy, outage detection, and transparency in energy consumption.

Laying the groundwork for a smarter energy future

In the initial rollout, Itron’s AMI system—with Intelligent Connectivity managing 73,000 endpoints across Metro Manila—will expand over several years to cover all Meralco-serviced areas.

“This collaboration is pivotal in our AMI journey,” said Meralco EVP and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho. “With Itron’s Gen5 solution, we are building a smart grid that supports the digital economy while enhancing customer satisfaction and operational resilience.”

With over eight million customers, Meralco continues to invest in smart technologies to strengthen grid reliability, empower consumers, and ensure long-term energy security for the Philippines.  —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma

Featured News
Explore the latest news from InsiderPH
Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Insight to the one percent
© 2024 InsiderPH, All Rights Reserved.