Meralco begins bidding for 660-MW power supply

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said Thursday it has started the competitive bidding for 660 megawatts (MW) of interim power supply in preparation for the expected increase in demand during the dry months.

In a statement, Meralco said the competitive selection process (CSP) for the supply requirement is now open. CSP is a form of competitive public bidding for distribution companies' purchase of electricity.

Meralco's opening of the CSP for 660-MW interim power supply came after the Department of Energy's (DOE) issuance of a Certificate of Conformity on the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Interim Power Supply Agreements (IPSAs)—covering the power distributor's 260-MW peaking requirement and 400-MW baseload requirement this year.

The company said the conduct of CSP is also in accordance with Meralco's DOE-approved Power Supply Procurement Plan that considers the need for additional available capacities to augment supply to customers through the IPSAs, which will be implemented once approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

The 260-MW and 400-MW IPSAs will be effective until July 2024 and February 2025, respectively, it said.

Meralco said interested power generation companies are required to submit Expressions of Interest for both IPSAs by January 15.

The Pre-Bid Conferences for the 260-MW peaking requirement and 400-MW base load requirement are both scheduled on Jan. 22, while the Bid Submission Deadlines are set on Feb. 26 and 27, respectively, according to the power distributor. — VDV, GMA Integrated News