Meralco: Pilot testing of prepaid electricity in Angono done by midyear

January 18, 2013 5:26pm


Manila Electric Co., the country's largest power distributor, is hoping to complete the ongoing pilot technical testing of its prepaid retail electricity service in Angono, Rizal, by the middle of this year.

"We're giving [the testing] until midyear because we want to make sure that it is running well," Meralco senior vice president Al Panlilio said Friday.

The testing currently covers around 200 households with an average monthly consumption of 200 kilowatthours per month.

Panlilio said there are plans to expand it to other areas such as Taytay, Binangonan and Pasig.

"We'll see how the technical pilot comes along," he said when asked when the other areas will be included in the pilot testing.

Through prepaid electricity, household customers could manage their consumption to match their budget and income.

Panlilio said once the technical pilot is successful, the commercial pilot testing will follow and would involve around 2,000 customers .

He said only residential customers will be covered by the pilot testing for the prepaid retail electricity service despite the recent ruling of the Energy Regulatory Commission that even large power users can avail of the service.

Panlilio said Meralco has allocated $7 million for the entire prepaid retail electric service system. — KBK, GMA News