Bohol has embraced a new 95.2 megawatt (MW) diesel facility in Ubay, developed by Mapalad Power Corporation of the Alsons Power Group, as a safeguard against power interruptions. Designed to energize the province during critical outages, the plant strengthens Bohol’s energy security and emergency preparedness.
The Bohol Investment Board approved incentives for the project under the province’s economic code, following a strong endorsement from its evaluation committee. The company secured support in June 2025 after presenting its proposal the previous month.
With the green light secured, the ₱ 2 billion project is set to receive a five-year exemption on the provincial portion of real property taxes. Beyond its fiscal perks, the development is expected to generate skilled employment and stimulate local business growth.
According to the Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office website, the provincial government, though committed to advancing renewable energy, has extended strong support for this project due to its vital role in ensuring energy reliability for the province.
Moreover, the project incorporates low-emission technology and carbon offset measures to limit its environmental footprint. With all required permits secured, the proponent commits to ongoing compliance with environmental regulations throughout its operations.
The plant is designed to run only during emergency islanding events, serving as a safeguard to keep Bohol’s power supply steady. This ensures that essential services, businesses, and livelihoods can continue without disruption during critical outages.
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Why Bohol needs back-up power
The ceremonial groundbreaking for the backup power plant was held in September 2023. Back then, the mayor was Constantino Reyes, who pointed out that each typhoon or earthquake often cut Bohol off from the national grid, underscoring the province’s heavy dependence on the Leyte undersea connection and its historically unstable power supply.
In late 2013, Bohol endured back-to-back disasters—a massive earthquake followed weeks later by Super Typhoon Yolanda—both of which crippled power infrastructure and severed the province’s link to the Visayas grid. A similar crisis unfolded in December 2021, when Super Typhoon Odette barreled through, again plunging Bohol into darkness.
“Thanks to this backup power of Alsons, Bohol now has the assurance of a reliable power supply, even in the face of natural disasters,” stated Reyes.
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Alsons’ expansion
Earlier this year, the Alsons Power Group announced plans to ramp up growth in 2025, with a strong focus on renewables and broader market engagement to help address the country’s rising energy needs.
The company is preparing to roll out its first major solar power facility in Mindanao in the first half of the year. Construction is also scheduled this year for two major hydro projects: the 37.8-MW Sindangan-Zambo River Power Plant and the 53-MW Bago Hydro Power Plant, further advancing the company’s renewable energy push.
Alsons Power has also brought Unit 1 of its Iligan City diesel plant back online, aiming to strengthen Mindanao’s energy reliability. The move supports the company’s entry into the ancillary reserve market, boosting its operational flexibility and grid support capabilities
Sources:
https://boholinvest.bohol.gov.ph/2025/06/19/bohol-in-island-diesel-power-plant
https://alsonspower.com/alsons-power-group-to-provide-backup-power-for-the-entire-bohol-island/
https://powerphilippines.com/alsons-power-charts-ambitious-re-plans-for-2025/