The Department of Energy (DOE) is bringing new programs and a standardized Local Government Unit (LGU) Ordinance Template for Energy Infrastructure Projects (EIPs) to Agusan del Norte to support the province’s energy sufficiency plan and accelerate local energy development.

Undersecretary Mylene C. Capongcol said Sunday that the agency met with provincial officials, including Governor Angelica M. Amante and Vice Governor Enrico Corvera, to discuss plans designed to streamline local permitting processes and strengthen LGU participation in energy planning. 

“The ordinance template is designed to facilitate the timely implementation of energy projects,” Capongcol said.

Launched in February, the rollout of the standardized LGU Ordinance Template has reached provinces including Batangas, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Negros Occidental, and Sorsogon, with several LGUs already adopting local energy ordinances. 

The DOE also presented the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), which seeks to reduce government energy consumption by at least 10 percent. The provincial government was also interested in adopting GEMP through solar rooftop systems on key facilities, including hospitals.

Having achieved 100 percent household electrification, Agusan del Norte is now focused on boosting energy self-sufficiency. 

The province has a 457.97 megawatts (MW) energy development plan supported by integrated water-energy solutions and is set to add 325.07 MW of new capacity, with a strong focus on renewable energy, including 236 MW of wind energy highlighted by the 200-MW Lake Mainit Wind Power Project, 30 MW of hydropower, and 11.07 MW of solar capacity. 

To support this growth and ensure grid stability, the province is pursuing a 48-MW Battery Energy Storage System and seven new transmission projects to reinforce the Mindanao grid.

DOE officials also conducted a site inspection of the 24.9-MW Lake Mainit Hydroelectric Power Plant in Jabonga, operated by Agusan Power Corp. 

The facility serves as a model for integrated water-energy development, supplying clean power to the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. and providing flood mitigation benefits that support agriculture and community.