THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said it would implement its prepaid metering scheme in Manila before it can offer this in other areas covered by its franchise.
“We are finalizing the network sites. For now, the plan is to implement it in pockets, starting with the city of Manila,” said Meralco Senior Vice President Alfredo Panlilio.
The prepaid-service offering will enable customers to budget their electricity consumption. The system also informs consumers if they need to reload immediately to avoid disconnection.
Meralco had just filed an application before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for approval of its prepaid metering-service offering.
Last week ERC Executive Director Francis Saturnino Juan said Meralco’s application will be taken up by the commission en banc soon. If approved, Meralco can already launch it on a commercial basis.
Juan said a decision is expected within the first quarter of 2015.
Panlilio said the prepaid-metering service will initially be offered to 40,000 households in Manila.
“We looked at the density of population when we were studying where to implement it first,” he said.
Meralco needs to file for approval of meter purchase and installation before it can roll out the service across its franchise area.
Prepaid electricity is also being used in other countries such as Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, Meralco said.
Meralco has allotted a budget of $7 million for the entire system.