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DOE Commends Swift Restoration Efforts Following Palawan Grid Blackout
Date published: May 25 2026 04:30 PM
MEDIA RELEASE
25 May 2026
DOE Commends Swift Restoration Efforts Following Palawan Grid Blackout
The Department of Energy (DOE) commends the swift restoration of electricity service across the Palawan Main Grid following the 22 May 2026 system-wide blackout, underscoring the coordinated action, preparedness, and professionalism demonstrated by the National Power Corporation (NPC), National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), National Electrification Administration (NEA), and Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) during emergency response and restoration operations.
Based on the initial assessment of the NPC, the outage occurred at approximately 9:22 AM due to the failure of a corroded section of the NPC’s Irawan–Aborlan 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line at Sitio Tacduan, Barangay Inagawan, Puerto Princesa City. The incident resulted in the interruption of electricity service across affected areas from Bataraza to Taytay.
Immediately after confirming the incident, NPC deployed technical personnel to conduct emergency assessment, isolation, and repair activities on the affected transmission facilities. As transmission asset owner, NPC led restoration operations in close coordination with TransCo, as the small island grid system operator, NEA and PALECO, while the DOE closely monitored developments to help ensure the immediate recovery of electricity service.
Restoration activities were progressively carried out throughout the day through alternative supply configurations, switching operations, and grid stabilization measures. Electricity service was gradually restored in Brooke’s Point, Narra, Roxas, and Puerto Princesa City, while substations in Taytay and Lucbuan were energized later in the afternoon as restoration efforts continued across remaining affected areas.
As part of the recovery process, blackstart operations from the DMCI Expansion Man 2 Power Plant of DMCI Power Corporation were successfully conducted to support the re-energization of the Palawan Main Grid transmission backbone. Through the coordinated efforts of NPC, TransCo, generation companies, NEA, and PALECO, full restoration of power was achieved at approximately 10:06 PM on the same day.
The DOE likewise recognized the professionalism, readiness, and quick response demonstrated by technical personnel and partner agencies throughout the incident. Their immediate mobilization and coordinated action reflected the importance of preparedness and operational discipline in managing unexpected system disruptions and restoring electricity service safely and efficiently.
The DOE noted that the affected transmission line segment had already been identified by NPC for replacement under its maintenance program but experienced failure prior to its scheduled rehabilitation. Moving forward, the DOE will continue coordinating with NPC, TransCo, NEA, PALECO, and other concerned stakeholders to accelerate preventive maintenance and rehabilitation activities, strengthen system reliability, and enhance the resiliency of power infrastructure in Palawan to help prevent similar incidents in the future. ###