DOE Eyes End to Visayas Grid Alerts

DOE Eyes End to Visayas Grid Alerts

Date published: Jun 17 2026 11:50 AM

MEDIA RELEASE
17 June 2026

DOE Eyes End to Visayas Grid Alerts 

The Department of Energy (DOE) expressed optimism that power conditions in the Visayas Grid will significantly improve in the coming weeks, with the 150-megawatt (MW) Unit 3 of the Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) expected to resume operations by 03 July 2026.

The Visayas Grid has been experiencing recurring yellow and red alerts since 12 May 2026 due to the simultaneous outages of several major generating facilities. At present, three key power plants remain under restoration, including two units of Therma Visayas, Inc. with a capacity of 169 MW each, and PEDC Unit 3 with capacity of 150 MW.

"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," the DOE Undersecretary Mario Marasigan said.

However, Undersecretary Marasigan noted that another setback occurred on 14 June when KEPCO- SPC Power Corporation's (KSPC) Unit 1 encountered operational problems and went offline. The facility is currently undergoing assessment and is targeting restoration by 19 June 2026.

Despite these challenges, the DOE emphasized that immediate interventions are being pursued to strengthen the Visayas power supply and mitigate the impact of generating unit outages.

The DOE is advancing short- and medium-term measures that could inject approximately 260 MW of additional capacity into the Visayas Grid, enough to supply around 1,250,000 households. These efforts are being carried out in coordination with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

These measures include the deployment of around 170 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) strategically located across Cebu, Negros, and Panay to provide both energy and ancillary services; the installation of a 20-MW modular diesel generating set; and the possible transfer of a power barge from Metro Manila to Panay Island.

Beyond these immediate interventions, the DOE is also pursuing long-term solutions aimed at strengthening energy security and improving supply adequacy in the Visayas. Among the projects being advanced are the ongoing construction of 2 additional power facilities: the Therma Visayas Unit 3 and the proposed development of Unit 2 of Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC), which is currently being studied for immediate implementation.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said the expected return of PEDC Unit 3, together with the deployment of additional capacity support measures, would help stabilize power conditions in the region.

"We remain focused on restoring reliability in the Visayas Grid as quickly as possible. The anticipated return of PEDC Unit 3 by 03 July, combined with the additional capacity interventions being pursued by the government, will substantially strengthen the region's power supply and help bring an end to the recurring yellow and red alerts that have affected consumers since May," Secretary Garin said.

The DOE assured the public that it continues to closely monitor the situation and work with industry stakeholders to implement both immediate and long-term measures necessary to secure a stable, reliable, and sufficient electricity supply for the Visayas. ###