Cebu facing power crisis

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (CERA) issued a stark warning that Cebu is entering a “critical” energy phase in 2026, a situation that could cripple the local economy and compromise public safety, particularly fire protection.

CERA convenor Nathaniel Chua, in a statement, said the warning comes as the Department of Energy (DOE) officially flagged a “potential critical supply situation” for the Visayas in 2026, driven by surging demand and insufficient new power generation.

According to CERA, Cebu’s electricity demand is growing by about 150 megawatts (MW) annually, already outpacing the island’s local generation capacity.

Chua said that has forced Cebu to increasingly rely on “imported” power transmitted through submarine cables from other islands, a setup the group described as risky and unsustainable.

Chua stated that business leaders from the manufacturing and export sectors have expressed concern about the current situation. They pointed out that frequent "Yellow Alerts" and power-sharing limitations are increasing operating costs and disrupting production schedules.

CERA has warned that if new, stable power plants are not constructed on the island, Cebu’s economic momentum could significantly slow down by 2026.

Beyond economic concerns, CERA also highlighted what it called a dangerous and often overlooked consequence of power instability: the failure of fire hydrants.

Fire crews in Cebu City have reported that several hydrants along major roads are registering low to zero water pressure.

CERA linked this problem to the electrical grid’s inability to consistently support the pumping stations of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) during power outages or voltage fluctuations.

CERA stressed that unreliable power supply to pumping facilities directly affects water pressure, leaving communities vulnerable during fires.

In response to the impending crisis, CERA has called for the immediate construction of island-based baseload power plants. This initiative aims to reduce Cebu's reliance on submarine power cables.

The group also urged authorities to prioritize the establishment of dedicated and backup power lines for the MCWD pumping stations. This is crucial to ensure that fire hydrants remain pressurized at all times.

Additionally, CERA appealed to the Department of Energy (DOE) and local utilities to provide a clear and transparent energy roadmap. They warned that failing to act decisively could turn the projected "critical" supply situation in 2026 into a reality of daily blackouts for Cebu.

NGCP projects

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has listed 66 ongoing various transmission and substation projects in accordance with its 10-year Transmission Development Plan. Each project contributes to the overall reliability and security of the grid.

Out of 66, 15 of these are in the Visayas, among which the major projects are the Cebu–Bohol 230-kilovolt (kV) Interconnection Project and the Cebu–Lapu-Lapu 138 kV Transmission Line Project.

Also included are the multi-stage Cebu–Negros–Panay Interconnection Projects (Stages 1, 2, and 3), designed to reinforce the backbone of the Visayas grid and enable more efficient power sharing among islands.

Other ongoing projects listed by NGCP are:

• Visayas Substation Reliability Project 2;

• Sta. Rita–Quinapondan 69 kV Transmission Line Project;

• Naga (Visayas) Substation Upgrading Project;

• Panay–Guimaras 138 kV Interconnection Project;

• Permanent Restoration of Colon–Samboan 138 kV Lines 1 and 2 affected by landslide;

• San Carlos–Guihulngan 69 kV Transmission Line Project;

• Tagbilaran 69 kV Substation Project;

• Visayas Substation Reliability Project 1;

• Visayas Substation Upgrading Project, Stage 1;

• Visayas Voltage Improvement Project 1; and

• Agus 2 Switchyard Upgrading

NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr.

It took over the management of the national grid in 2009 under a 25-year concession agreement with the government through the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corp.

As the sole transmission operator, NGCP is mandated to ensure reliable and efficient delivery of electricity from power generators to distribution utilities and large industrial consumers nationwide. — /RAE (FREEMAN)