MANILA ELECTRIC Co. (Meralco) posted a slight increase in energy sales volume within the second quarter, driven mainly by warmer temperatures related to the onset of El Niño.
Initial data showed that energy sales volume rose by 0.6% 12 months on 12 months to 14,495 gigawatt-hours (GWh), Charina P. Padua, Meralco senior vice-president and head of customer relations and services, said in a Viber message over the weekend.
“Detailed evaluation continues to be ongoing but the rise is especially driven by warmer temperatures with the onset of El Niño,” she added.
She noted that the preliminary figures have yet to incorporate volumes attributable to Clark Electric Distribution Corp. and Shin Clark Power Corp.
Earlier, Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said he’s optimistic the corporate will surpass its 2025 net income of P50.6 billion.
He said the corporate expects stronger performance as its distribution business records higher energy sales volumes, while its power generation segment advantages from the rollout of the P200-billion MTerra Solar Project and the continued expansion of its retail electricity supply business.
“The DU (distribution utility) volumes are back up in May and June — ahead of last 12 months. In May, it was ahead by 4%, which is kind of good. In June, probably 2-3% ahead of last 12 months,” he said.
Meralco reported a 1.8% decline in energy sales volume in the primary quarter as cooler weather dampened electricity demand. The corporate had earlier said it expected volumes to recuperate starting within the second quarter.
For 2026, Meralco expects energy sales volume to grow by 1% to 2%.
Meralco is the country’s largest private electric distribution utility, serving greater than 8.2 million customers across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., Meralco’s controlling shareholder, is partly owned by PLDT Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Helpful Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera