MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) continues to transform Iloilo City’s energy landscape with the launch of Western Visayas’ first fully unmanned 30MVA substation — a major milestone in the modernization of the region’s power infrastructure.
The project highlights MORE Power’s aggressive push to build a smarter, more reliable, and future-ready distribution system for Ilonggo consumers amid the city’s rapid economic growth and increasing electricity demand.
Unlike traditional substations that require on-site personnel for operations and monitoring, the new facility is fully automated and remotely managed through MORE Power’s advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Operations are controlled in real time from the company’s Control Center, where engineers can instantly monitor load flow, voltage levels, and equipment conditions without the need for constant human supervision on site.
The unmanned substation forms part of MORE Power’s broader five-year modernization and grid development program, which includes the expansion of SCADA systems and Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) across its network.
According to Engr. Wilmar Gonzaludo, PSPD Manager, the project is the result of years of careful planning and forecasting to address the growing power needs of Iloilo consumers.
“This was made possible through long and meticulous planning, along with a deep understanding of the kind of power system that Ilonggos need,” Gonzaludo said.
The development also reflects the dramatic turnaround of Iloilo City’s power infrastructure since MORE Power took over operations in 2020. At the time, several substations were already nearing overload, suffered frequent outages, and had not undergone major upgrades for nearly three decades.
Since assuming operations, MORE Power has invested heavily in rehabilitating substations, upgrading distribution lines, replacing aging poles, reducing system loss, and curbing illegal connections — efforts that have significantly improved the stability and reliability of electricity service in the city.
For Engr. Mark Anthony Molano, Substation Projects Manager, embracing automation is part of bringing Iloilo’s power system up to global standards.
“In other places, SCADA and automation are already widely used. The technology is available, so why not maximize it here in Iloilo to provide consumers with the same level of high-quality service,” Molano said.
Despite the fully automated setup, MORE Power assured that security personnel remain stationed at substations to safeguard these critical facilities.
With the launch of the region’s first unmanned substation, MORE Power further cements its role as a leader in power innovation in Western Visayas, reinforcing its commitment to delivering efficient, dependable, and modern electricity services to Ilonggos.
