Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) joined regional and global energy leaders at the 2026 ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-26), where it highlighted how its diversified portfolio and investments are supporting Southeast Asia’s transition toward a more secure, affordable, and sustainable energy future.
Held under the Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 Chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” AEBF-26 convened regional energy leaders and stakeholders from across ASEAN and beyond, with Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon S. Garin serving as chair. The forum brought together policymakers, regulators, investors, industry executives, and development partners to discuss the region’s evolving energy priorities.
During the opening ceremony, MGEN received a commendation from the DOE for its investment in Singapore-based PacificLight Power’s (PLP) 670-MW hydrogen-ready combined-cycle gas turbine power plant, recognizing its contribution to advancing ASEAN energy cooperation. The recognition comes following PLP’s recent groundbreaking of the S$1.2-billion facility on Jurong Island. The project will be Singapore’s first gas-fired power plant integrated with a large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) and will be capable of co-firing up to 30% hydrogen from the outset, with the potential to transition to 100% hydrogen in the future.
Across AEBF-26, MGEN executives joined discussions on investment, renewable energy, thermal generation, and energy security.
During the plenary session on “The Philippines – Game Changer: Why the Philippines Matters Now,” MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio positioned the Philippines as an increasingly attractive destination for energy investments, supported by policy reforms, strong renewable energy resources, and the country’s ability to develop projects at global scale. During the session, Mr. Rubio called for stronger alignment between national and local requirements, clearer permitting timelines, forward-looking transmission planning, and greater deployment and alignment of decentralized energy solutions to improve project execution.
In a panel session on “Strengthening Energy Transition: Oil and Gas Value Chain and Thermal Power,” MGEN Thermal President and CEO Arnel Santos shared his insights on the continuing role of dependable thermal generation as ASEAN adds more variable renewable energy while sustaining economic growth. He emphasized that the transition must also ensure existing generation assets continue to operate safely, efficiently, and reliably as the region’s energy mix evolves. For MGEN Thermal, this means continuously strengthening asset performance through its Best-in-Class Transformation and Business Stewardship initiatives, supporting a stable power system as the region’s energy mix evolves.
MGEN Renewables and MTerra Solar President & CEO Dennis B. Jordan discussed what it takes to deliver renewable energy projects at scale, drawing from the company’s experience in developing MTerra Solar at a panel session on “The ASEAN Clean Energy Market – Size, Growth, and Where Capital Can Flow.” The project combines 3,500 MWp of solar capacity with 4,500 MWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and requires a dedicated 13-kilometer, 500-kV transmission line, alongside coordination on permitting, land development, financing, local government requirements, and community engagement.
On the sidelines of AEBF-26, Mr. Jordan shared MGEN’s experience in delivering MTerra Solar during Huawei’s 6th Philippines Grid-Forming Workshop and Next-Generation Energy Storage Launch. MTerra Solar Phase 1 entered commercial operations in August 2026, less than two years after the project broke ground in November 2024. Mr. Jordan said projects of this scale can help bring more competitively priced clean energy into the system while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, LNGPH President and CEO Yari A. Miralao also joined discussions on the role of natural gas in supporting energy security and system flexibility. MGEN holds a 40.2% investment in LNGPH, which operates the integrated LNG terminal and gas-to-power complex in Batangas.
Mr. Miralao highlighted the return of indigenous Malampaya gas to the Ilijan Power Plant as an important development for domestic energy security. LNGPH has also expanded its infrastructure with two new 60,000-cubic-meter full-containment LNG storage tanks, providing additional storage and operational flexibility.
Through its AEBF-26 exhibition booth with an MTerra Solar BESS prototype, MGEN showcased its key assets and investments across thermal generation, natural gas, renewable energy, and battery energy storage among the conference delegates and visitors.
With its diversified portfolio and strategic investments, MGEN continues to advance solutions that address the region’s need for a more secure, affordable, and sustainable energy – all to power a better tomorrow for the Philippines and the wider ASEAN region.
