Meralco vying to supply power to BCDA

By Lenie Lectura – October 19, 2018
from Business Mirror

THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is one of two shortlisted entities vying for a contact to supply power to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

“I think there are two. Very stringent ang requirements nila,” said Meralco President Oscar Reyes, who was referring to BCDA.

He did not identify the other shortlisted firm. It had been reported though that AboitizPower earlier submitted a bid to provide electricity to New Clark City, envisioned to be Asia’s premiere economic hub.

Reyes did not reveal the supply requirement of BCDA, saying “Meralco is still studying what the potential is,” nor did he say how much investment Meralco will shell out if it is chosen by BCDA.

BCDA said last month it would soon award the maintenance and operating contracts to the water and power-distribution utilities in New Clark City.

It earlier identified Maynilad, Manila Water and Prime Water as the three qualified bidders for the water- and wastewater-distribution facilities, while at least four companies have expressed interest back then to bid for the electric-power distribution system.

The 9,450-hectare New Clark City, located within the Clark special economic zone that spans Angeles City in Pampanga and the towns of Capas and Bamban in Tarlac, is the country’s first smart, disaster-resilient and sustainable city.

The first phase of the development covering 60 hectares features the National Government Administrative Center that will house backup offices of various government agencies and a world-class sports complex now being constructed in time for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

The new metropolis will also have mixed-use residential, commercial, agro-industrial, educational institutions and information-technology developments.