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New NAIA Infra Corp. and the Manila Electric Co. have entered into a partnership to provide reliable energy solutions for Ninoy Aquino International Airport
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The partnership includes several projects, including a new substation, underground power distribution masterplan, and an uninterrupted power supply system
New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) and the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) have entered into a partnership to provide reliable energy solutions for Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The joint undertaking, formalized in a signing ceremony on December 9, ensures the “airport is ready to handle the demands of modern aviation while improving operational efficiency and resilience,” NAIA operator NNIC said in a statement.
For years, NAIA has faced persistent power issues due to aging infrastructure, lack of modernization, and inadequate capacity to meet increasing demands. NNIC said these challenges have disrupted operations, impacted passenger experiences, and limited the airport’s ability to function as an efficient transportation hub.
“With the airport’s privatization, NNIC is prioritizing foundational improvements to address these longstanding problems, with power reliability as a key focus,” the company said.
NNIC, the special purpose company created for the 15-year concession agreement to rehabilitate NAIA, took over last September.
READ: NAIA turned over to private operator
“By enhancing power reliability for the new NAIA, we are going to help empower the tourism and travel industry, support economic growth and enrich the travel experience for countless travelers,” Meralco chairman and chief executive officer Manuel Pangilinan said.
“This will be a step towards NNIC’s goal of transforming our country’s vital gateway into a world-class facility,” Pangilinan added.
For his part, NNIC president Ramon Ang said, “Years of underinvestment have left NAIA struggling to meet the demands of a modern airport. With Meralco as our partner, we are addressing power reliability as a top priority, alongside operational improvements such as decongesting traffic within the airport, widening roads, mitigating flooding, and replacing faulty equipment. These efforts directly improve functionality, safety, and the passenger experience, setting the foundation for a world-class airport that every Filipino can be proud of.”
The partnership includes several projects that form the backbone of NAIA’s modernization.
First is a state-of-the-art substation wherein Meralco is building a 115 kilovolt (kV)–34.5 kV gas insulated substation to provide reliable power to NAIA’s four terminals. The new substation will complement Meralco’s existing NAIA Terminal 3 substation, which will ultimately provide two 83 megavolt-amperes (MVA) transformer banks and six 34.5 kV underground feeders for enhanced reliability, redundancy, and future-readiness.
The conceptual design of the new substation has been completed, with construction starting in the third quarter of 2025 and full completion targeted for December 2026.
Another project is the underground power distribution masterplan. Meralco is working with NNIC to implement an underground power distribution network that will align with the airport’s operational needs through 2026. Field surveys and data sharing are set to start this December, paving the way for improved power reliability and reduced disruption risks.
Another project is the uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system, wherein Meralco subsidiary MSERV will install a 4900 KVA UPS system across six critical locations, including NAIA Terminal 3 and the airfield. This upgrade will provide uninterrupted power for critical airport operations, further strengthening infrastructure resilience.
NNIC said these initiatives collectively reflect the partnership’s dedication to delivering future-ready infrastructure that meets the highest international standards.
