The Department of Energy (DOE) expects power supply conditions in the Visayas to improve significantly in the coming weeks, with the 150-megawatt (MW) Unit 3 of Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) scheduled to return to service by July 3.

The Visayas Grid has been under recurring yellow and red alerts since May 12 following the simultaneous outage of several major power plants, tightening supply across the region. 

According to DOE, three key generating units remain under restoration, including two 169-MW units of Therma Visayas, Inc. and PEDC Unit 3.

“The restoration activities currently underway are already yielding positive results, including a reduction in the number of yellow alert hours and a decrease in the magnitude of supply deficits experienced in the grid,” DOE Undersecretary Mario Marasigan said.

The DOE said another challenge emerged on June 14 when KEPCO-SPC Power Corporation’s Unit 1 went offline due to operational issues. The unit is currently undergoing assessment and is targeting restoration by June 19.

To address supply shortfalls, the DOE is pursuing measures that could add about 260 MW of capacity to the Visayas Grid, enough to supply around 1.25 million households.

These initiatives are being implemented in coordination with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

The interventions include the deployment of around 170 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across Cebu, Negros, and Panay, the installation of a 20-MW modular diesel generating set, and the possible transfer of a power barge from Metro Manila to Panay Island.

The agency is also advancing longer-term capacity additions, including the ongoing construction of Therma Visayas Unit 3 and the proposed Unit 2 expansion of Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC), which is currently being studied for immediate implementation.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the expected return of PEDC Unit 3, combined with additional government-led capacity measures, would help restore stability in the region’s power supply.

“We remain focused on restoring reliability in the Visayas Grid as quickly as possible,” she said.

The DOE said it will continue working with industry stakeholders to implement both immediate and long-term measures aimed at ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply in the Visayas.

What do you think of the DOE’s proposed interventions? Will the return of major generating units and additional capacity support be enough to prevent further grid alerts in the Visayas?

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