Senate Reviews MORE Power Expansion in Southern Iloilo

Why It Matters

Expanding MORE Power’s franchise could boost electricity reliability, attract investment, and reshape the competitive landscape of Visayas’ power sector.

Key Takeaways

• Senate committee examines amendment expanding MORE Power’s service area
• Consumer base grew from 62k to 107k since 2020
• System loss cut from 28% to ~5% under MORE Power
• SAIFI and SAIDI improved over 90% after takeover
• Expansion began with private customers in Pavia, Iloilo

Pulse Analysis

The Philippines has been steadily liberalizing its electricity market, encouraging private players to modernize aging grids and improve service quality. MORE Power’s rapid ascent in Iloilo City illustrates how a focused utility can achieve dramatic efficiency gains—reducing technical losses from 28 percent to roughly five percent—by investing in smart metering, network automation, and rigorous outage management. These operational improvements not only lower costs for consumers but also enhance the utility’s financial health, making it more attractive to capital markets and potential partners.

Legislative scrutiny of the proposed franchise amendment reflects a broader tension between regional development goals and the need for regulatory oversight. By extending its service area into the second and fourth districts, MORE Power could leverage economies of scale, extending its low‑loss model to a larger customer base while standardizing tariffs and service standards across Iloilo province. However, lawmakers will weigh concerns about market concentration, ensuring that competition remains viable and that consumer protections are upheld. The outcome will set a precedent for how other private distributors, such as Negros Power and Bohol Light, may seek similar expansions.

Looking ahead, the expansion could catalyze further infrastructure upgrades, including renewable integration and micro‑grid deployments, aligning with the Philippines’ national energy transition targets. Investors will monitor the Senate’s decision closely, as approval may unlock new revenue streams and justify additional capital expenditures. Conversely, a rejection could stall momentum, prompting MORE Power to focus on deepening service quality within its existing footprint. Either scenario will shape the competitive dynamics of the Visayas power market for years to come.