Smart meters coming to Iloilo as MORE Power kicks off AMI project

A pilot program for an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system is set to roll out in Iloilo City, as local power distributor More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) pursues a shift toward smart energy management.

The initiative follows the signing of a memorandum of agreement on July 10 between MORE Power and Electro Premier Venture International Inc., which will handle the installation and commissioning of the system.

Under the AMI pilot, existing electric meters will be replaced with smart meters capable of two-way communication using SIM-based modules. The meters will transmit usage data to a centralized system for analysis, remote monitoring, and real-time outage detection.

According to MORE Power, the project aims to modernize grid operations while improving service reliability and operational efficiency. “Features such as outage detection, meter irregularity alerts, and remote connection, disconnection, and reconnection capabilities will significantly improve service reliability,” the company said in a statement.

The trial complies with the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) rules issued in April 2025 mandating AMI deployment by distribution utilities.

Electro Premier will install 90 smart meters for residential customers and 10 three-phase smart meters for commercial clients during the pilot. All infrastructure, including software, hardware, and support services, will be provided at no cost to the utility during the test phase.

MORE Power said the pilot will help evaluate the system’s feasibility, cost-efficiency, and scalability before wider deployment across its franchise area.