MGEN, VITRO team up to explore sustainable power solutions for data centers

• IN PHOTO (from left): VITRO REIT Inc Chief Commercial Officer, Gary F. Ignacio; VITRO REIT Inc President and CEO, Victor S. Genuino; MGEN & PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan;  MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio; MGEN Project Development and Execution Head Ashvind Gobinathan

Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) and VITRO REIT, Inc. (VITRO), a subsidiary of ePLDT under the PLDT Group, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the development of sustainable, power-integrated data center infrastructure in the Philippines.

The partnership aims to combine MGEN’s expertise in power generation and supply, including renewable energy, with VITRO’s capabilities in data center development, operations, and connectivity to support the country’s growing demand for digital infrastructure.

Under the agreement, the two companies will conduct joint technical and commercial feasibility studies covering potential development sites, power generation capacity, renewable energy resources, connectivity requirements, data center specifications, and commercial arrangements.

MGEN will identify potential sites where data centers can be integrated with power generation facilities and evaluate possible power supply arrangements.

VITRO, meanwhile, will lead data center design and site assessments, connectivity planning, and engagement with prospective hyperscalers and other potential locators.

MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio said the collaboration reflects the growing importance of reliable and sustainable electricity in data center development.

“This collaboration reflects the growing convergence between the energy and digital infrastructure sectors. Power is increasingly becoming a critical factor in where and how data centers are developed. By bringing together our respective capabilities, we can explore solutions on how reliable, cost-competitive, and sustainable power can be integrated into the development of digital infrastructure,” Rubio said.

VITRO President and CEO Victor S. Genuino said improving electricity costs and reliability is a key objective of the partnership, particularly as the Philippines seeks to attract more hyperscale data center and artificial intelligence (AI) investments.

“Improving the cost and reliability of power is one of the key objectives of this collaboration, as energy remains a decisive factor in attracting hyperscale and AI investments to the country. VITRO is committed to working closely with the energy sector to help secure ample, stable, sustainable, and affordable energy for the digital infrastructure that supports the Philippines’ digital economy,” Genuino said.

The collaboration comes as growing demand for AI and high-density computing increases the importance of reliable electricity, renewable energy access, and connectivity in selecting locations for new data centers.

The MOU establishes a framework for feasibility studies and potential development. Specific project sites, investment amounts, and construction timelines have yet to be announced.