The municipality of Guiuan is moving toward achieving round-the-clock electricity access as it begins crafting a renewable energy (RE) roadmap with direct support from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC).

The initiative comes right after a four-day Renewable Energy Plan and Roadmap scoping workshop held from April 14 to 17. It brought together local officials and technical personnel to identify priority energy projects and strategies for the municipality.

The effort comes as Guiuan continues to face challenges such as high electricity costs, frequent outages, and limited access in off-grid island communities. Among the priority areas identified are Homonhon, Suluan, and Victory, where improving reliability and eventually achieving 24/7 electricity access remains the central goal.

The workshop, led by ICSC in partnership with the local government, is part of a broader initiative involving Eastern Visayas local chief executives to strengthen participatory energy planning at the local level. The program aims to help LGUs craft renewable energy ordinances, develop local energy roadmaps, and mobilize financing for projects such as rooftop solar, microgrids, and community-led RE systems.

“Renewable energy is a no-regrets solution. Beyond reducing electricity costs, it enhances public services, supports livelihoods, improves public health, and strengthens local infrastructure,” said Councilor Kinna Mae Kwan-Mabansag, who represented Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan during the workshop.

During the sessions, participants were introduced to various renewable energy options, including solar, wind, battery energy storage systems, and hybrid configurations designed to reduce dependence on diesel and improve energy security in remote areas.

Local officials and technical staff also worked to validate Guiuan’s energy baseline, set initial targets, and identify viable projects for financing and implementation. These outputs are expected to serve as the foundation for a more structured and actionable RE roadmap for the municipality.

The workshop also featured case studies from other local governments, including Butuan and Iloilo, which highlighted how energy planning, zoning, and investment promotion can support the development of clean energy projects.

ICSC Director for Community Resilience Arturo Tahup emphasized the role of local leadership in addressing energy challenges.

“We are at a point where we must transform crises into opportunities. The current energy situation presents real challenges, but it also opens pathways for local governments to lead,” Tahup said.

According to local officials, the development of a local energy plan is seen as a crucial step in addressing longstanding issues affecting economic activity in Guiuan, including impacts on fisheries, water distribution, and investment.

“Reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is essential to local development,” Kwan-Mabansag said, noting that a local energy plan would help guide investments and policy decisions moving forward.

The Guiuan workshop serves as a pilot for a series of similar capacity-building activities, with more local governments across Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and the Bicol Region expected to undertake their own renewable energy planning processes in the coming months.

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