Power transmission and generation in Mindanao were restored within hours after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Davao Oriental on October 10, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reports.

The quake, tectonic in origin, hit near Manay, Davao Oriental at a depth of 10 kilometers, causing several power plants and transmission lines to automatically trip.

Among the affected facilities were the Malita Coal Plant Unit 2, Agus 1 Hydro, and Pulangi 4 Hydro, which together accounted for an estimated 373.5 megawatts (MW) in temporary generation loss.

All plants were back online by 11:30 a.m., while NGCP restored all affected transmission lines—including Davao–Toril, Nabunturan–Asuncion, and Bunawan–Maco—before midday.

The Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) noted that three electric cooperatives—DORECO, DASURECO, and NORDECO—experienced partial power interruptions, while SURSECO I and SURSECO II continued normal operations.

Among private distributors, Davao Light and Power Company reported ten substations tripping, while CEPALCO and Cotabato Light began safety assessments in their coverage areas.

Despite the temporary disruptions, the DOE confirmed that Mindanao’s overall power transmission remained stable and market operations resumed shortly after the grid intervention was lifted.

The DOE added that no major incidents were recorded in off-grid diesel plants or downstream oil facilities, and that all electric vehicle charging stations nationwide remained operational- with the exception of four units in Davao Region temporarily offline due to local outages.

NGCP said it continues to monitor its Mindanao facilities to ensure grid stability as aftershocks are expected in the region. The DOE commended the rapid response and coordination between public and private stakeholders in restoring power, citing it as a testament to the growing resilience of the country’s energy infrastructure.

Do you think the quick restoration of Mindanao’s power grid reflects improved disaster preparedness in the energy sector?

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