Aboitiz Group keeps lead in power generation

THE ABOITIZ GROUP remains the country’s largest power generation group, accounting for about a fourth of the market, according to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Latest data from the ERC show Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV), the parent company of Aboitiz Power Corp., has an aggregate capacity of 6,850.63 megawatts (MW), equivalent to a 24.3% national market share.

AEV also has the largest market share in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao at 27.53%, 16.99%, and 14.85%, respectively.

San Miguel Corp., which oversees San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., ranks second with 5,533.08 MW of capacity, equivalent to a 19.62% share.

Lopez-led First Gen Corp. ranks third with 3,028.42 MW, representing 10.74% of the market.

Ayala Corp., through its listed energy platform ACEN Corp., ranks fourth with 1,948.58 MW, equivalent to a 6.91% market share.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), which also operates power plants through Meralco PowerGen Corp., ranks fifth with 1,889.67 MW.

Under Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, no company may own, operate, or control more than 30% of installed generating capacity per grid and 25% nationwide.

In a resolution issued in May, the ERC set the allowable installed generating capacity for the national grid at 28,197.05 MW, lower than the 28,390.07 MW set as of July 30, 2025.

By grid, the regulator set the maximum generating capacity at 20,422.81 MW for Luzon, 3,478.32 MW for the Visayas, and 4,295.92 MW for Mindanao.

Based on the national cap, each generation firm may operate up to 7,049.26 MW nationwide.

The ERC said the issuance is aligned with its mandate “to promote free and fair competition in the generation and supply of electricity to achieve greater operational and economic efficiency and to ensure consumer protection and enhance the competitive operation of the markets.” — Sheldeen Joy Talavera