DOE: Planning failure caused Visayas power shortfall
The Philippine Department of Energy has admitted that a lack of baseload power generation is causing recurring power alerts in the Visayas region. Officials noted that the region's reliance on solar power and interconnection with other grids is insufficient to meet growing demand.
Why it matters
The power shortfall highlights critical infrastructure challenges and the need for better energy planning to support economic growth in the Philippines.
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Energy (DOE) has admitted that the Visayas lacks sufficient baseload generation to meet growing electricity demand, prompting recurring power alerts and exposing the region's vulnerability to the loss of even one major power plant.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin made the admission during the joint congressional hearing of the House committees on energy, Visayas development and legislative franchises on Oct. 3. She stressed that the government needs additional generation capacity to address the supply gap, which could persist until 2028.
"Even with the absence of just a single power plant, we will go on alert and that is not good for business," she said.
She explained that while Negros can produce excess electricity during the day, much of the excess comes from solar generation. Demand, however, peaks in the evening when solar output declines.
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