The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) said it is establishing a pioneering “Power Alliance” initiative to address the growing energy demand in one of the Philippines’ key economic centers.
This comes at a critical time as Cebu’s industrial and commercial growth continues to drive increasing power requirements, highlighting the importance of collaborative approaches to energy security in expanding economic hubs.
“We’re looking into expanding our Power Committee with this alliance to support sustainable economic growth through enhanced coordination between business stakeholders and energy sector partners,” said CCCI president Jay Yuvallos.
“As businesses expand and new industries emerge, ensuring reliable and affordable power becomes increasingly crucial for maintaining competitiveness,” he said.
Department of Energy (DOE) data show that Cebu’s current demand is at 1,223-megawatts, compared to its local generation capacity of 1,123 MW.
The group said the 100-MW deficit underscores two critical challenges for Cebu’s power security including the urgent need to expand reliable local generation capacity and the region’s significant dependence on the broader Visayas transmission network, including interconnections with Luzon (via Leyte) and Mindanao.
They said addressing both aspects—through increased embedded generation and enhanced transmission infrastructure—is imperative for sustaining Cebu’s economic momentum and maintaining its attractiveness as an investment destination.
The DOE expects Cebu Island’s peak demand to reach about 1,400 MW by 2026, reflecting the region’s rapid economic expansion.
This growth in demand is part of the broader Visayas region’s projected increase from 2,464 MW in 2023 to 10,678 MW by 2050.
“Our Power Alliance aims to create a collaborative platform where businesses, power providers, and stakeholders can work together effectively,” Yuvallos said.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting both large industries and MSMEs in their growth journey through reliable power infrastructure,” he said.
