.png)
MEDIA RELEASE
15 September 2026
DOE Maps Long-Term Power Security Plan for Panay
The Department of Energy (DOE) is advancing new generation capacity and a major transmission interconnection to meet Panay’s long-term electricity requirements and support the continued growth of Western Visayas.
During the Regional Development Council Region VI meeting at the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Regional Office VI in Iloilo City yesterday, Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin presented the DOE’s near-, medium-, and long-term measures to strengthen the reliability and resilience of the region’s power supply.
At the center of the long-term strategy is a pipeline of energy investments that could bring 135 megawatts (MW) of baseload capacity to Panay by 2028, 270 MW in 2029 and another 150 MW in 2030. The region could also gain 220 MW of gas-fired mid-merit capacity by 2028 to respond more flexibly to changes in electricity demand and supply.
These projects are intended to provide the dependable and flexible capacity needed to support households, businesses, industries, and future investments as Western Visayas’ economy and electricity requirements continue to expand.
The DOE is also implementing the Mindoro-Panay Interconnection Project as a strategic component of the region’s long-term energy security. Once completed, the project will connect the Visayas Grid to the transmission link between Batangas and Mindoro, creating a critical loop connection between Luzon and the Visayas that will enable the transfer of additional power across the two grids.
The interconnection would provide the power system with greater flexibility during supply constraints and plant outages, while strengthening the ability of the grids to share available electricity and respond to the growing requirements of Western Visayas and the broader Visayas region.
While these long-term projects are being prepared, the DOE is carrying out immediate measures to ease current supply constraints. These include facilitating the return to service of generating units on forced outage, such as large plants operated by Therma Visayas, Inc. and Panay Energy Development Corporation in the Visayas, as well as Therma South Inc. and GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co. in Mindanao.
The scheduled return of these units in September and October 2026 is intended to restore available capacity, rebuild power reserves, and reduce the risk of recurring Yellow and Red Alerts in the Visayas.
For the medium term, the DOE is facilitating the deployment of 253 MW of ancillary service capacity across the Visayas, including battery energy storage system projects in Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Bohol, and Panay. These facilities can respond rapidly when supply suddenly falls, helping stabilize the grid and lessen the risk of service interruptions.
Secretary Garin called on RDC VI, local government units, electric cooperatives, power sector participants, and other stakeholders to support the timely delivery of the region’s generation and transmission requirements.
“Securing Panay’s energy future requires us to address today’s supply constraints while building the generation and transmission infrastructure that Western Visayas will need in the years ahead. This is a shared responsibility and that strong stakeholder support is vital to delivering stable electricity, driving economic growth and improving the lives of every Filipino in Region VI.
The RDC VI meeting was also attended by DOE Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan and Director Luningning G. Baltazar of the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau.
Earlier in the day, Secretary Garin joined the nationwide Handog ng Pangulo 2026 activities held in celebration of the birthday of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The initiative brought government services closer to communities through the coordinated efforts of national government agencies and local government units. It provided access to health services, employment and livelihood assistance, educational opportunities, and support programs for farmers, fisherfolk, and small enterprises.
Secretary Garin said the activity reflected the administration’s commitment to responsive and people-centered governance, emphasizing that meaningful public service is measured by the government’s ability to make essential programs and assistance accessible to Filipinos. ###