THE MINDANAO power grid is eyed to significantly expand with 4,580.895 megawatts of additional potential generation capacity from 2026-2031 projects.
Dr. Eric George Uy, DOE Mindanao Energy Utilization Management Division OIC, reported that the indicative and committed projects are a mix, but renewable energy accounts for most.
“The Department of Energy continues to facilitate investments in additional generation capacity, particularly renewable energy projects to support the country’s long-term energy security,” Uy said during the Habi at Kape on Wednesday.
He added that the power generation sector in the region and in the country is largely private-sector driven.
Mindanao has 30 committed power projects with a combined capacity of 1,323.915 MW.
Renewable energy accounts for 26 of these projects and 997.915 MW, or 75.38 percent of the committed capacity.
Solar leads with 14 projects and 616.135 MW (46.54%), followed by wind with two projects and 296 MW (22.36%) and hydro with 10 projects and 85.78 MW (6.48%).
Coal, on the other hand, has two committed projects totaling 270 MW (20.39%), and oil-based plants have two projects totaling 56 MW (4.23%).
DOE reported no committed natural gas, geothermal, or biomass projects, while seven energy storage system projects with a combined 208 MW are committed.
Meanwhile, there are 37 indicative power projects totaling 3,256.98 MW in the pipeline, where renewable energy makes up 36 of these projects and 3,136.98 MW, or 96.32 percent.
Wind has the biggest share at 1,232 MW across eight projects (37.83%), followed by solar with 14 projects and 1,058.52 MW (32.50%), and hydro with 12 projects and 677.46 MW (20.80%).
Geothermal has one project at 119 MW (3.65%), and biomass has one project at 50 MW (1.54%).
One coal project of 120 MW (3.68%) is also indicative, while another four energy storage projects with 134.28 MW are indicative.
Uy said that, taking the committed and indicative projects together, about 90.26% of the capacity comes from renewable energy sources.
He added that the projects will significantly expand the Mindanao Grid, strengthen energy security, and support a cleaner, more sustainable energy mix.
Region XI projects
The DOE lists 13 private sector-initiated projects in Region XI with a combined capacity of 648.9 MW.
In Davao Oriental, Global Sibagat Hydro Power Corp. is behind two hydroelectric projects targeted for 2028: the 34-MW Casauman project in Manay and the 29-MW Cateel project in Baganga.
Meanwhile, DY Green Energy Corporation is developing the 49.7-MW Banaybanay Davao Oriental Solar Farm in Banaybanay, but its commercial operations date is still to be determined.
In Davao del Sur, CapitalOne Davao Solar, Inc. is building the 35.2-MW Capital 1 Davao Solar Power Plant in Matanao and Digos City, targeted for 2028.
Meanwhile, in Davao de Oro, Energy Development Corporation is developing the 119-MW Amacan Geothermal Project, targeted for 2034, spanning the municipalities of Nabunturan, New Bataan, Maco, Mabini, Maragusan (San Mariano), Mawab, and Pantukan.
Two battery energy storage system (BESS) projects of 20 MW each are also listed in Davao region projects.
SMGP BESS Power Inc. is building the Tagum Battery Energy Storage System in Tagum, Davao del Norte, targeted for 2026.
Meanwhile, Cell Power Energy Corporation is developing the Toril Energy Storage System in Toril, Davao City, with a date still to be determined.
The largest cluster is the Malita Solar Power Project in Davao Occidental by SMC Global Light and Power Corp. Phase 1 has 108 MW, targeted for 2026.
Phase 2 for the Malita Solar Power Project has 27 MW, targeted for 2027; Phase 3 has 30 MW for 2026, and Phase 4 has 120 MW for 2026.
Uy reported the agency has undertaken several measures to fast-track power development in the region, including the issuance of Certificates of Energy Projects of National Significance (CEPNS) to expedite permitting for qualified projects.
The DOE issues the CEPNS to qualified projects to facilitate and expedite the approval of permits, clearances, and other requirements from concerned government agencies and authorities.
He also cited the mobilization of Task Force 200, an ad hoc body monitoring power projects to closely monitor the progress of priority energy projects and help address issues that may affect their implementation, completion, and commissioning.
The agency has also established the Ad Hoc Committee on Transmission Projects to assist the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) “in addressing issues that may delay the construction and completion of transmission facilities.”
The Committee facilitates the resolution of transmission-related concerns raised by power project proponents to ensure timely transmission development.
