PH grids gain 956MW new power capacity
The Philippines has added 956 megawatts (MW) of new power generation capacity to the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids this semester, marking early gains in the Marcos administration’s push to build 200 power plants over the next three years.
In a statement, the Department of Energy (DOE) said the newly commissioned capacity formed part of efforts to address power supply constraints and support the country’s growing electricity demand.
The new capacity includes output from 12 renewable energy projects, one oil-fired facility and one natural gas plant—most of which began commercial operations in the second half of 2025.
“These systems help smooth fluctuations, reduce dependence on expensive peaking plants and support the integration of more renewable energy into the power mix,” the DOE noted.
The agency added that the combined generation and storage expansion reflected concrete progress in translating policy directives into infrastructure that benefits consumers.
The DOE reported that the grids were boosted by an additional 160 MW of energy storage system (ESS) capacity installed in Luzon and Visayas.
The storage rollout, the agency said, would improve grid stability by storing excess energy during off-peak hours and releasing it when demand spikes or when renewable energy output dips.
Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the new capacity would contribute directly to energy security and economic confidence.
“Every megawatt we add to the grid is not just a number on paper; it is electricity for homes, power for businesses and confidence for investors,” Garin said.
By pairing renewable energy projects with flexible conventional plants and modern storage, she added, the government was building a cleaner, more reliable and more resilient power system.
Garin also stressed that the DOE aimed to honor President Marcos’ directive by ensuring that infrastructure commitments would be delivered on time to “keep the lights on, bring down the risk of outages and ensure that our people and our industries have the energy they need to move forward.”
The agency said the 956 MW and 160 MW ESS were among the initial outputs of the larger pipeline of projects aligned with the administration’s 200-power-plant program.
As project development continues, the DOE vowed to work closely with private developers, regulators and other stakeholders to streamline permitting and keep future capacity additions aligned with the goals of affordability, energy security and a just energy transition.
