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Cebu’s recurring power crunch, frequently making headlines as supply margins turn precarious, may have found a potential answer in a bold new proposition: a nuclear power plant.
During a visit to Cebu City, Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Mark Cojuangco, who heads the House committee on nuclear energy, led discussions advocating nuclear power as a viable option for the country’s electricity needs, citing its potential to deliver stable, lower-cost, and low-emission energy.
“If we are serious about securing a stable and affordable energy future, we must take a clear and deliberate path forward,” he stated. “Nuclear energy must not be just an option; it is a necessity.”
(Also read: Power Demand Surge Drives Cebu’s Shift Toward Renewables and Energy Security Plan)
Cebu’s Power Shortfall
Cebu sits at the center of the Visayas economy, helping propel the region into the country’s fastest-growing hub. This strength was reflected in sustained expansion, with growth holding at 7.3% between 2023 and 2024.
However, the Visayas does not function as a self-sufficient power producer, relying heavily on high-voltage direct current (HVDC) imports from Mindanao and Luzon. As a result, the region’s power network is expected to face a shortfall in electricity supply for the second quarter of 2026.
A local nuclear facility would allow Cebu to reduce its dependence on imported electricity transported via submarine cables. “Power-sharing limitations are already driving up costs and delaying production schedules,” warned Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (CERA) convenor Nathaniel Chua.
Meanwhile, Cojuangco suggested that with nuclear power, Cebu has the capacity to take on a larger role in supplying power across the Visayas, warning that if it does not move in that direction, neighboring areas such as Negros could step in and capture that strategic advantage.
The Visayas grid continues to be particularly vulnerable to supply pressures during the dry season. This fragility surfaced as early as January 2026, when a yellow alert was issued in the region long before the usual peak demand period.
In contrast to the more consolidated grids in Luzon and Mindanao, the Visayas network is composed of multiple island-based systems linked by transmission lines with uneven capacities. This configuration limits flexibility, especially when these interconnections fall short of handling demand surges.
This imbalance is most pronounced in Cebu, where electricity demand has been climbing sharply by roughly 150 megawatts (MW) each year. Consumption growth has consistently outstripped the pace of new power generation within the province, widening the supply gap.
Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Mark Ynoc warned that Cebu’s unstable power supply could deter investors and cause the province to miss out on high-value projects such as data centers. These facilities require about 2 MW per 1,000 square meters—well beyond what current local infrastructure can consistently support.
How nuclear energy can strengthen energy security
While the Visayas faces acute supply constraints, the broader Philippine power system is also under structural pressure as demand continues to rise faster than firm capacity additions.
National forecasts show the country’s electricity demand is continuing to grow, with peak load expected to climb steadily in the coming years. At the same time, the system relies heavily on aging plants and intermittent capacity, increasing vulnerability to shortages during outages or demand spikes.
During the Rappler energy roundtable, Prof. Wali del Mundo reinforced his point on the risks of relying heavily on submarine transmission by citing the Siargao blackout. He highlighted that the island depended on a single submarine cable from Surigao, leaving no redundancy when the line failed. In such cases, the absence of backup infrastructure exposes entire island grids to prolonged outages. Del Mundo argued that if more embedded or in-island generation had been developed, the disruption could have been mitigated.
He also warned about the broader risks of delays in transmission and interconnection projects. Citing Mindanao, del Mundo noted that setbacks in linking generation to the grid led to a roughly 30% increase in generation costs in areas such as Butuan. When power cannot be efficiently delivered due to incomplete or delayed infrastructure, generators face higher operating and recovery costs, which ultimately feed into electricity prices
Meanwhile, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has highlighted “the need for additional, non-intermittent baseload power sources to ensure the stability of power supply.”
Baseload energy is what nuclear power offers, providing steady 24/7 electricity that is not dependent on weather conditions. Unlike solar and wind, which fluctuate with environmental changes, nuclear plants generate continuous output that helps anchor grid stability.
In some systems, such as in the US, nuclear facilities also add flexibility by adjusting output within a limited range of about 10 to 15%, helping balance sudden changes in demand and complement variable renewable energy sources. This makes overall grid operations more reliable.
From a cost standpoint, nuclear energy requires a high upfront investment, but it tends to deliver stable and competitive electricity prices once operational. Over the full lifecycle of a plant, including fuel, maintenance, waste management, and eventual decommissioning, costs are generally more predictable than those of fossil fuel-based generation.
Using the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) framework, which compares total lifetime costs against total output, nuclear energy often performs as a long-term, dependable option. With operating lifespans commonly reaching 60 years or more, nuclear plants provide decades of consistent generation, supporting both price stability and reduced exposure to market-driven energy shocks.
Additionally, nuclear power has become a significant component of the global clean energy mix, with about 413 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity spread across32 countries. Its contribution to emissions reduction is substantial, preventing an estimated 1.5 gigatonnes of carbon emissions each year while also displacing roughly 180 billion cubic meters of natural gas demand. Ranking as the second-largest source of low-emission electricity after hydropower, it provides a consistent and scalable energy supply.
(Also read: Northern Samar Draws Twin Wind Power Investments, Strengthening Role in PH Energy Transition)
Nuclear Energy’s Potential in the PH
Before Cebu emerged in discussions on potential nuclear development, the Department of Energy (DOE) had already identified several other possible sites across the country in an earlier announcement in January.
These include Bataan, where the existing Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is located and is still considered a viable site for future development. Additional locations under consideration include Labrador in Pangasinan, select areas in Camarines Norte, parts of Palawan, particularly Puerto Princesa, and Masbate.
The DOE has previously outlined an indicative roadmap for nuclear power, targeting the start of commercial operations by 2032. Under this plan, around 1,200 MW of nuclear capacity would initially be integrated into the grid, with expansion expected over time. By 2050, total nuclear capacity could scale up to approximately 4,800 MW.
In September 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, creating an independent regulatory body for nuclear energy and radiation safety. The law establishes the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), a quasi-judicial agency tasked with overseeing and regulating the safe use of nuclear energy in the country.
Advocacy group Alpas Pinas cited a 2024 Social Weather Stations (SWS) and DOE survey showing growing public support for nuclear energy in the Philippines. The survey found that over 70% favored nuclear power for its ability to deliver “reliable electricity, reduce reliance on imported fuels, create jobs, and help fight climate change.” It also showed strong interest in public education, with 76% of Filipinos saying they wanted to learn more about nuclear energy.
To build momentum for nuclear energy, Cojuangco filed House Bill No. 8567, which proposes incentives to support its integration into the country’s power sector. The measure also sets out funding approaches and policy direction aimed at speeding up nuclear development.
Securing the Visayas’ Energy Future
The growing interest in nuclear power for Cebu highlights the region’s urgent need for dependable baseload electricity. While renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are essential for reducing carbon emissions, they cannot yet deliver the continuous and predictable power supply that the Visayas requires to sustain economic growth and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Chua underscored the importance of baseload power, stressing that stopgap solutions are not enough. “Solar is first aid, but Cebu urgently needs the ‘surgery’ of new baseload power plants to ensure long-term reliability and price stability,” he said. “Baseload power is the backbone of a stable energy system.” He warned that without the development of new, dependable power facilities, Cebu’s economic growth could begin to slow as early as this year.
Cebu’s, as well as the Visayas region’s economic growth, grid dependence, and rising consumption, make it a natural reference point in this debate. But nuclear energy, while promising, remains a long-term infrastructure commitment that requires careful planning, institutional readiness, and public trust.
For now, Cebu’s energy future will continue to rely on a mix of regional power sharing, renewable expansion, and transitional fossil fuels. Nuclear energy, if it arrives, will likely represent the next chapter—not the current solution.
Sources:
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/720146/can-cebu-host-nuclear-power-plants
https://www.dof.gov.ph/philippine-economic-briefing-cebu/
https://icsc.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ICSC_Power-Outlook-2026.pdf
https://tribune.net.ph/2026/01/02/cebu-faces-power-crunch
https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2026/01/04/2498680/cebu-facing-power-crisis
https://insiderph.com/groups-warn-of-looming-power-crisis-in-cebu-threatening-growth
https://www.ngcp.ph/article?cid=16944
https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/economic-aspects/economics-of-nuclear-power
https://www.iea.org/energy-system/electricity/nuclear-power
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/709222/cera-pushes-solar-solution-as-energy-costs-surge