New NAIA Infra Partners with Meralco to Boost Power Reliability

The New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC), operator of the Philippines’ main gateway, has partnered with the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to ensure robust and reliable power supply, aligning with the growing demands of modern aviation.

Power Upgrades for NAIA Terminals

Meralco will construct a new 115-kilovolt (kV) to 34.5 kV gas-insulated substation (GIS) to supply power across all four terminals of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). This will complement the existing NAIA-3 substation, which includes:

• Two 83-megavolt-ampere (MVA) transformer banks
• Six 34.5-kV underground feeders

Construction of the new substation is set to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with completion targeted by December 2026.

Key Initiatives

• Underground Power Distribution Network:
  Meralco will implement an underground power system tailored to the airport’s operational needs, with field surveys starting this month.
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS):
  Meralco subsidiary MSERV will install a 4900-kilovolt-ampere (KVA) UPS system across six critical locations, including NAIA Terminal 3 and the airfield, ensuring seamless operations.

Transforming NAIA into a World-Class Facility

Meralco Chairman Manuel Pangilinan emphasized the partnership’s significance:

“This will be a step towards NNIC’s goal of transforming our country’s vital gateway into a world-class facility… Together, we will power a brighter tomorrow rich with opportunities and advancements.”

NNIC President Ramon S. Ang acknowledged the need for upgrades:

“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.”

In addition to improving power infrastructure, NNIC is focusing on:

• Decongesting traffic within the airport.
• Widening access roads.
• Mitigating flooding.
• Replacing faulty equipment.

Addressing Power Outages

NAIA faced multiple power outages in 2023 and 2024, causing disruptions for thousands of passengers. These incidents underscored the need for significant infrastructure investment to avoid future interruptions.

Investment Commitments

NNIC, which took over NAIA operations in September 2024, has committed ₱122.3 billion in capital investments over its 25-year concession period. The agreement also includes an upfront payment of ₱30 billion to the government and annual payments of ₱2 billion.

This partnership with Meralco marks a critical step in positioning NAIA as a reliable and world-class airport facility.