CEBU, Philippines — As Cebu continues to strengthen its position as one of the country’s leading centers for business, tourism, and investment, Governor Pamela Baricuatro is pushing for stronger collaboration among energy stakeholders to address the province’s growing demand for reliable electricity.

Amid recurring rotational brownouts and tight power conditions affecting the Visayas grid, Gov. Baricuatro has called for a meeting with power suppliers, government agencies, and private energy providers to assess the current energy situation and identify solutions that can address both immediate concerns and long-term needs.

The governor also announced the Cebu Energy Summit on October 7, which will gather representatives from the energy sector, government, businesses, investors, and other stakeholders to discuss Cebu’s energy future.

The initiative reflects the provincial government’s commitment to addressing challenges through coordination, planning, and partnerships.

Ensuring Reliable Energy for Cebu’s Continued Growth

For Gov. Baricuatro, energy reliability is not only an infrastructure concern — it is a foundation for Cebu’s economic future.

As the province continues to attract investments, expand industries, and create employment opportunities, a stable power supply becomes essential in sustaining growth.

“We want more investments. We want industries to expand. We want more businesses and more jobs for Cebuanos. But none of these can happen sustainably if our energy supply cannot keep pace with our growth,” Baricuatro said.

The governor emphasized that while electricity generation, transmission, and distribution are not directly under the jurisdiction of the Cebu Provincial Government, the Capitol has a responsibility to advocate for solutions that protect the needs of Cebuanos and support the province’s development goals.

Addressing Today’s Power Challenges Through Collaboration

The call for stronger coordination came as the Visayas grid experienced another period of supply pressure, with available capacity falling below projected demand.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Visayas grid under red and yellow alert conditions as several power plants experienced outages and reduced generation capacity.

While national agencies and energy providers continue to manage electricity operations, the impact of supply shortages is felt directly by communities, businesses, and institutions across Cebu.

Through the upcoming discussions, the provincial government aims to gain a clearer understanding of the existing gaps and identify measures that can improve energy stability.

Building Cebu’s Long-Term Energy Capacity

Beyond responding to current supply concerns, the provincial government is also supporting projects designed to increase Cebu’s future energy capacity.

During her State of the Province Address, Gov. Baricuatro highlighted several energy initiatives being advanced in different parts of Cebu, including renewable energy projects and potential local energy development opportunities.

Among these projects are the ACCIONA solar farm project in Daanbantayan and the Alternergy wind-energy project in Alegria.

These initiatives form part of a broader effort to diversify Cebu’s energy sources and prepare the province for increasing demand.

Daanbantayan Solar Project Moves Toward Development

In northern Cebu, the proposed Daanbantayan solar project is expected to become one of the province’s major renewable energy investments.

The ₱7.5-billion solar facility, which will be located in Barangay Tingub, covers a 187-hectare site and is expected to generate up to 150 megawatts of renewable energy.

The project is being developed by Spain-based Acciona Energia under a 25-year build-operate-transfer agreement, with Power China serving as the construction partner.

Following land conversion approvals from the Department of Agrarian Reform 7, the project has moved closer toward implementation, with construction targeted to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and operations expected by the end of 2027.

Alegria Projects Expand Cebu’s Energy Options

Southern Cebu is also being positioned as part of the province’s long-term energy strategy.

In Alegria, the redevelopment of the town’s oil and gas resources is being explored through Petroleum Service Contract 89, while renewable energy opportunities continue to move forward.

The proposed Alegria wind power project, which could generate up to 80 megawatts of electricity, is expected to contribute additional renewable energy capacity to the national grid once completed.

The project is included under the Department of Energy’s Fourth Green Energy Auction and has a committed delivery timeline in late 2028.

Cebu Energy Summit: Creating a Roadmap Beyond Brownouts

For Gov. Baricuatro, addressing Cebu’s energy concerns requires looking beyond immediate power interruptions.

The Cebu Energy Summit will serve as a venue for stakeholders to discuss the province’s future energy requirements and identify strategies that can support long-term development.

The discussions will focus on how government, businesses, investors, and energy companies can work together to ensure that Cebu has the infrastructure needed for future growth.

“Beyond addressing the situation today, we need a real conversation about Cebu’s energy future,” Baricuatro said.

Powering Cebu’s Future Through Shared Responsibility

Cebu’s growth has always been driven by resilience, innovation, and strong partnerships.

However, sustaining that progress requires addressing the foundations that support development — including reliable and sufficient energy supply.

While the provincial government’s direct role in power generation remains limited, Gov. Baricuatro emphasized that the Capitol will continue to advocate for solutions that protect Cebu’s growth and the welfare of its people.

The challenge ahead is not only solving today’s power shortage.

It is ensuring that Cebu has enough energy to support the opportunities, industries, and communities of tomorrow.

Through collaboration and long-term planning, the province aims to build a more reliable, sustainable, and future-ready energy landscape for all Cebuanos.