As the nation seeks to balance rapid economic growth with the urgent need for decarbonization, offshore wind (OSW) has emerged as a key strategy in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) long-term strategy. The government recently opened registration for the fifth round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-5), a massive 3,300-megawatt (MW) fixed-bottom OSW auction slated […]
Power distributor Visayan Electric Co. said it is closely monitoring global energy developments as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and rising fuel costs threaten to push electricity prices higher just as summer demand begins to surge. Visayan Electric said electricity rates could face upward pressure in the coming months due to developments in global […]
Cebu has long been heralded as the “Queen City of the South,” an economic powerhouse fueled by tourism, BPO hubs, and a burgeoning manufacturing sector. Cebu continues to serve as the powerhouse for Central Visayas, driving the region to become the nation’s fastest-growing economic hub. This momentum is evidenced by a steady 7.3% growth rate […]
The Philippine government has opened a competitive bidding round for coal blocks on Semirara Island in Antique, putting the country’s largest coal mine, currently operated by Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), at the center of a new contracting process ahead of the expiration of its long-running operating agreement in 2027. The Department of Energy […]
In the winter of 2025 to 2026, Germany plunged into a deep and politically charged natural gas crisis. Storage facilities, normally a buffer against cold spells, sank to historic lows, with fill levels reported at just 32.9%, down sharply from 56.4% at the same time a year earlier. The rapid drawdown coincided with surging heating […]
Aklan’s power supply outlook for the upcoming summer peak season received a boost after the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) completed the restoration of the Unidos-Caticlan 69-kilovolt (kV) Line nearly a month ahead of schedule, fully normalizing transmission services in key areas, including Boracay. NGCP said it successfully energized the line at 1:31 […]
Several local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas have formalized efforts to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, citing persistent power shortages and high electricity rates that have disrupted essential services across the region. Mayors from Alangalang in Leyte; Paranas and Marabut in Samar; and Guiuan, Oras, and Salcedo in Eastern Samar signed an agreement […]
Consumer leaders and church-based advocates in Northern Negros have formally organized the Alliance of Consumers in Northern Negros (ACNN) amid warnings of possible electricity supply constraints in the Visayas, including the Negros Island Region (NIR). The alliance was launched on February 14 in Bacolod City following advisories from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines […]
The Department of Energy (DOE) will open a competitive bidding round on Feb. 27 covering 18 coal blocks across three pre-determined areas (PDAs), including the Semirara coal field, as part of efforts to strengthen energy security while aligning operations with constitutional and environmental requirements. The auction follows a Department of Justice (DOJ) opinion stating that […]
Cebuano households are facing higher electricity bills following recent rate increases by major power distributors, prompting a consumer advocacy group to call for reforms aimed at stabilizing costs and improving efficiency. The Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (CERA) said the latest adjustments by Cebu Electric Cooperative (CEBECO) I, II and III, as well as Visayan Electric […]
