MANILA, Philippines — Energy firm Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) and VITRO REIT Inc., a subsidiary of ePLDT, have forged a strategic partnership to evaluate and build integrated digital infrastructure projects across the country.
The agreement, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, September 30, brings together two companies under Manny V. Pangilinan’s business group.
Under the deal, both firms will conduct joint technical and commercial feasibility studies to analyze site selection, power generation capacity, renewable energy integration, network connectivity, and commercial operations for future data center facilities.
MGEN will oversee the identification of suitable locations and design appropriate power supply frameworks. Meanwhile, VITRO will direct data center architectural design, network infrastructure planning, and engagement with prospective corporate locators and global hyperscalers.
MGEN President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Rubio highlighted that secure and affordable energy is increasingly driving digital infrastructure decisions, particularly given the rising demand for artificial intelligence and compute-heavy operations.
“This collaboration reflects the growing convergence between the energy and digital infrastructure sectors. Power is increasingly becoming a critical factor in where and how data centers are developed,” Rubio said.
“By bringing together our respective capabilities, we can explore solutions on how reliable, cost-competitive, and sustainable power can be integrated into the development of digital infrastructure.”
VITRO REIT President and Chief Executive Officer Victor Genuino emphasized that stabilizing power availability and reducing energy expenses are essential steps toward positioning the Philippines as a regional digital hub.
“Improving the cost and reliability of power is one of the key objectives of this collaboration, as energy remains a decisive factor in attracting hyperscale and AI investments to the country,” Genuino noted.
“VITRO is committed to working closely with the energy sector to help secure ample, stable, sustainable, and affordable energy for the digital infrastructure that supports the Philippines’ digital economy.”
By combining power planning and telecommunications strategy early in the development phase, the joint effort aims to address critical supply requirements and streamline project timelines for foreign technology investments.