By Sam Ramos
The Department of Energy (DOE)-Mindanao Field Office assured the public of a stable and sufficient power supply for the region throughout the year, highlighting the resilience of the energy grid. During the “Kapehan sa Dabaw” forum held on December 2, 2024, at SM City Davao, Engr. Rapha Julysses E. Perez, a science research specialist from the DOE-Mindanao Field Office, provided an update on the energy situation in Mindanao. He noted that the peak power demand for 2024 reached 2,577 megawatts (MW), but the region’s supply remained adequate to meet this demand.
Perez highlighted the importance of the recently inaugurated Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), which not only bolstered the region’s energy security but also enabled Mindanao to supply power to the Visayas. This development reflects the region’s capacity to maintain a surplus of energy. However, Perez expressed concern about the sustainability of the current supply levels, warning that without additional power generation facilities, the existing capacity may only meet demand for the next three years. He underscored the urgency of addressing this challenge, given the continuous rise in energy consumption in Mindanao.
In response to this projected shortfall, the DOE-Mindanao Field Office has several power projects in the pipeline, expected to become operational within the next two to three years. These include renewable energy sources, coal and oil-based power plants, and an energy storage system. Perez affirmed that these committed projects would sufficiently meet future energy demands and sustain the region’s growth.
Perez also discussed the region’s reserve capacity, which remains above the mandated levels despite occasional challenges. He pointed out that Mindanao experienced two yellow alerts this year, caused by the sudden forced outage of 150 MW generating units. These temporary issues reduced the reserve capacity but were swiftly resolved, restoring the grid’s stability. He emphasized that such incidents are rare and that, throughout the year, the region has maintained sufficient reserves to ensure a steady power supply.
As Mindanao prepares for increasing demand and potential challenges such as the El Niño phenomenon, Perez expressed confidence in the region’s ability to meet energy requirements. He assured that the DOE’s ongoing projects and careful planning would continue to support Mindanao’s energy needs and its growing economy.