DoE unsure about summer power stability, says

DoE unsure about summer power stability, says | Daily Tribune

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin cannot say whether the country will suffer power shortages this coming summer season.

“Will there be a problem this summer... it depends on the season. It depends kung mayroon pa tayong mga hydro sa ibang lugar or depende rin sa demand. Because, the problem with summer is, umaakyat yung temperature and nauubusan o nababawasan din ang hydro power plants natin,” Garin said at the sidelines of the ceremonial turnover of the government of Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan Hydroelectric Power Plant (CBK-HEPP) Complex to the Thunder Consortium, composed of Aboitiz Renewables and Japanese firms Sumitomo Corporation and Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER), in Laguna on Monday.

Garin said the power supply would also depend on the consumption, stating that electricity demand is high during hot weather.

“Tumataas ang demand sa paggamit ng aircon at electric fan. Kailangan lang bantayan ng Department of Energy ito,” she added.

The DoE, on 06 March 2025, recorded the highest peak demand for the year at 12,467 MW, a five percent increase from the DoE-approved generator operator forecast demand of 11,870 MW for that day.

Garin said CBK-HEPP is very vital in the Luzon Grid, as the pump storage can serve as a battery reserve once the energy supply is insufficient.

“The CBK-HEPP is like a battery, which you will only use if the supply is scarce. It’s a battery for all the needs of our system, kung kulang ang supply ng wind, solar energy sources,” she said.

According to AboitizPower, CBK HEPP Complex—particularly its Kalayaan pumped-storage units—serves as a critical energy buffer for the Luzon grid.

Its ability to store energy and rapidly dispatch power strengthens system stability, provides essential ancillary services, and supports the integration of renewable energy sources.

As the country expands its clean energy portfolio, the facility is expected to play a key role in safeguarding grid reliability and helping prevent power disruptions.

For Aboitiz Renewables, the acquisition of CBK significantly expands its hydropower portfolio and adds a massive pumped-storage asset to its renewable energy mix, aligning with AboitizPower’s strategy to expand its renewable energy capacity and strengthen its long-term, stable power generation base.

The takeover also marks one of the largest hydropower acquisitions in the country, reinforcing AboitizPower’s role in supporting the Philippines’ long-term clean energy transition.

Garin said the CBK HEPP is planned to be expanded, as it has still 400 megawatts additional capacity of the current complex.

"Actually marami tayong papasok na pump storage na papasok this coming 2030 to 2032, almost 6,000 megawatts. But we are still studying and calculating it," she said.

Asked whether there will be an increase in cost for electricity since CBK-HEPP is now privatized, Garin said no.

“Energy is a very regulated industry. That’s the job of the Energy Regulatory Commission, which is to limit or impose a price cap on the prices imposed by all private power players. They have to apply for such a price increase, and the ERC should approve first before making any adjustments,” she said.