Iloilo: Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. emphasized the urgent need for backup power sources and the timely repair of power plants as the province braces for increased electricity demand during the El Ni±o phenomenon. Defensor convened with key power industry stakeholders, including the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), power generators, and distribution utilities, to assess the current energy situation in the Visayas region.
According to Philippines News Agency, Defensor highlighted the province's current energy alerts, stating, "We are on yellow and red alert because power is not sufficient; we have plants that are down." He informed that the affected plants are anticipated to resume operations by October following necessary repairs. The current energy deficit in the Visayas necessitates backup supply from Luzon, though the NGCP submarine cable can only support up to 250 megawatts (MW).
Plans are underway for the More Power Barge, with an 80 MW capacity, to become operational by the second quarter of 2027. Additional capacity from a coal-fired power plant in Concepcion, Iloilo, is projected for 2028. Locally, Defensor proposed exploring renewable energy options, including solar power installations at government facilities, to address energy needs.
Defensor reassured that critical services, particularly hospitals, would remain unaffected by power outages, as these facilities are equipped with generators and solar panels with battery storage. Concurrently, Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Tre±as announced preparations for a study on the economic impact of ongoing brownouts, which will be submitted to the Department of Energy and the Office of the President for potential interventions.
The Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo Inc. (FCCCII) expressed significant concern over the frequent yellow and red alerts impacting the Visayas grid. The group cited the burden of manual load dropping and rotational power interruptions on businesses, leading to increased operational costs in Iloilo City. FCCCII President Terence Uygongco stated that "businesses are paying more for electricity while also carrying the cost of repeated interruptions," which poses a threat to productivity, employment, investment, and consumer prices.
The business community urged energy agencies, power-sector stakeholders, and local leaders to expedite the restoration of unavailable generating units, provide transparent outage advisories, enhance generation and transmission capacity, and implement measures to safeguard businesses and consumers from significant power-cost hikes. The statement underscored the necessity for a clear recovery plan, emphasizing that "reliable and affordable electricity is essential to protecting local businesses, jobs, investments and the city's continued economic growth."
