Visayas faces risk of more power red alerts in 2027

Power red alerts could affect the Visayas during at least 22 weeks in 2027 unless agreements covering 250 megawatts of reserves are secured, according to the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE). The department projects that securing those agreements could limit alerts to four weeks.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin raised the warning at a Cebu energy summit on October 12, 2026. The DOE places the potential alerts between February and November, within its assessment of the 52 weeks in 2027.

The DOE told the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines on May 22 to arrange ancillary services procurement agreements for reserves totalling at least 250 megawatts. On October 5, the department criticised the operator over its failure to file the agreements.

Garin said inadequate supply was forcing coal plants to run too hard rather than receive maintenance. Major plants in the region have experienced unplanned shutdowns linked to equipment damage, system failures and increasing demand. DOE data show peak demand reached 2,691 megawatts in 2025, compared with 2,201 megawatts in 2020.

Existing battery storage supplies 134 megawatts of dependable capacity to the Visayas grid. Garin said officials expect battery installations of at least 250 megawatts, alongside the deployment of power barges, between 2026 and 2027. She said batteries could provide electricity when supply falls short during high demand.

For longer-term supply, the DOE expects the expansion of Therma Visayas Inc.’s Toledo City coal plant to provide 150 megawatts of baseload capacity by 2028. A Cebu gas plant rated at 220 megawatts and a renewable energy plant providing 470 megawatts in Cebu and Bohol are scheduled for completion before 2028 ends. Panay Island is also expected to receive a gas plant rated at 220 megawatts and a baseload plant rated at 135 megawatts that year.