Rockport Power, Meralco partner for retail market push

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June 29, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Emerging energy retailer Rockport Power is teaming up with utility giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to expand its footprint, particularly in the retail electricity market.

The move comes as the contestability threshold under the government’s retail competition and open access (RCOA) program was lowered to 100 kilowatts from 500 kW on June 26.

The reduction enables more consumers to directly choose and negotiate power deals with their preferred suppliers, a privilege previously limited to large electricity users.

The same threshold also applies to the retail aggregation program (RAP), which enables smaller customers to pool their demand and collectively contract their electricity supply.

“We see our role not just as a supplier but as a partner in helping Filipinos find real savings. By working with local utilities, we are helping customers unlock more competitive and optimized energy solutions,” Rockport Power president Marvee Espejo said.

Aside from Meralco, the power retailer has also forged partnerships with Batangas I Electric Cooperative Inc. and Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative Inc., with plans to expand further through a tie-up with Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative.

Through these partnerships, Espejo said Rockport Power seeks to raise public awareness of the government’s energy choice programs and bring them closer to consumers.

“Our goal is to make these programs accessible and practical options for anyone seeking to cut their energy costs,” Espejo added.

The initial implementation of the lower threshold has already attracted new entrants in the retail power market, according to the Energy Regulatory Commission.

ERC data showed 77 contestable customers – 58 in Luzon and 19 in the Visayas – are scheduled for their initial RCOA switch, bringing the total to 96.

Similarly, 11 retail aggregated groups in Luzon, including household consumers, were preparing to enter under RAP, pushing the total number to 40.