BIWC pilots power aggregation in Visayas

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June 1, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Boracay Island Water Co. Inc. (BIWC), a unit of Razon-led Manila Water, is making waves in the Visayas as the first company to embrace the government’s retail aggregation program (RAP).

Under the program, BIWC has aggregated the power demand of its 11 facilities, including water treatment plants, pumping stations, wastewater treatment facilities and lift stations.

The move allows the company to choose its preferred energy supplier, as the aggregation has resulted in a peak demand of 749 kilowatts, enough to hit the minimum threshold of 500 kW.

PrimeRES Energy Corp., the retail electricity arm of the Razon Group, will serve as the retail aggregator, sourcing the power from suppliers and the spot market.

The RAP initiative empowers multiple power end-users within the same area to aggregate their energy demand to meet the minimum threshold required to contract their preferred supplier.

The scheme also offers customers the opportunity to lock in lower electricity rates while also providing the option to switch to renewable energy sources.

Following this landmark move, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) lauded BIWC for expanding RAP to Boracay Island, one of the country’s popular tourist destinations.

“After just a few months of RAP being piloted in various sectors, we’re thrilled to see it reach the Visayas through Boracay Water’s initiative,” ERC chairperson and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta said.

“This is a landmark moment for energy democracy in the Philippines. As Boracay Water begins to realize cost savings, we hope more institutions across the country will be inspired to follow suit,” she added.

BIWC’s transition to RAP builds on the pioneering work of its parent, Manila Water, the first company in the Philippines to switch under the expanded power aggregation program.

“We celebrate this not only as a pioneering achievement but as an opportunity to educate and inspire others. Our message is simple – if we can do it, others can too,” said Melvin John Tan, COO at Manila Water Philippine Ventures.

Manila Water serves the east zone of Metro Manila under a concession agreement with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

Currently, the company provides water services to over 7.3 million users across 24 cities and municipalities.