Cebu faces power crunch

Cebu could be facing a critical power supply situation by 2026, with the island increasingly relying on electricity imported through submarine cables, a consumer advocacy group warned on Friday.

The Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (CERA) said the situation poses serious risks not just to households, but to the local economy as well.

CERA convenor Nathaniel Chua said a prolonged power shortage could slow business activity and even paralyze key industries in the province.

He pointed to mounting concerns from leaders in the manufacturing and export sectors, who have raised alarm over the frequent Yellow Alert declarations issued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

“Power-sharing limitations are already driving up costs and delaying production schedules,” Chua said.

He warned that without new, stable power plants built on the island, Cebu’s economic momentum could take a hit in 2026.

CERA noted that the Department of Energy (DOE) has already flagged a potential critical power supply situation in the Visayas next year. At the same time, Cebu’s electricity demand is growing by about 150 megawatts annually, outpacing local generation and forcing heavier dependence on power sourced from other islands.

To address the risk, CERA is calling for the immediate construction of island-based baseload power plants, saying this is key to reducing Cebu’s reliance on submarine cables.

The group is also pushing for more resilient power grids, greater energy equity, and the adoption of sustainable energy practices across the Visayas.

Beyond economic concerns, Chua said power shortages could also pose public safety risks, particularly in emergency situations.

“Cebu City fire crews have reported that many hydrants along major roads now register low to zero water pressure,” Chua disclosed. “This is linked to the power grid’s inability to consistently support MCWD pumping stations during outages or voltage fluctuations.”