Iloilo City’s power reliability just reached a new milestone as MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) successfully energized the Arevalo Substation, a vital project aimed at improving service for nearly 12,000 customers in the area.
The energization marks the completion of the temporary utilization of Mobile Substation 1 (MS-01), a strategic solution launched in September 2024 to address the increasing demand for electricity in Iloilo’s expanding districts. With a capacity of 10/12.5 MVA, the mobile substation is now actively serving 11,939 customers—6,095 through feeder AVL-211 and 5,844 through AVL-212—transferred from the previously congested Molo (MLO-215) and Megaworld (MGW-213) substations.
The project, which already cost P5.2 million out of its total P11.5 million budget, was designed to decongest overloaded substations, allowing Molo and Megaworld to perform more efficiently while prolonging the lifespan of their transformers. This is especially crucial as the city gears up for further urban developments, including the anticipated rise in consumption in growth areas like Sunset Boulevard.
Beyond relieving load stress, the Arevalo Substation features cutting-edge automation technology, anchored by MORE Power’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This enables real-time monitoring and remote control, allowing instant power rerouting in case of faults or line failures—an innovation that drastically reduces power interruption durations.
“We are proud to bring this level of smart grid technology to Iloilo City,” said Roel Z. Castro, President and CEO of MORE Power. “It’s a testament to our commitment to modernization and reliability. Our SCADA system allows us to make remote adjustments in real time, which benefits not only Arevalo but also nearby service areas like Molo and Megaworld.”
A Temporary Solution with a Long-Term Vision
While the mobile substation currently fulfills the community’s needs, MORE Power has bigger plans ahead. A permanent 30/36 MVA substation is in the pipeline for Arevalo, with an estimated investment of P121 million, excluding future sub-transmission and feeder line development.
This long-term infrastructure will support future growth in Iloilo’s southern district, ensuring that residents and businesses will continue to enjoy reliable, efficient, and modern power services for decades to come.
Improving Power Quality Where It Matters
In addition to reducing the risk of transformer overload, the energized Arevalo Substation resolves voltage quality issues in areas with long distribution lines, such as coastal barangays in the end of the franchise area. This means better, more stable electricity for homes, schools, health facilities, and small enterprises that are vital to community life.
With this successful energization, MORE Power not only strengthens Iloilo City’s current power infrastructure but also lays the groundwork for a resilient, future-ready grid—proving once again its dedication to serving Ilonggos with excellence.
