AboitizPower And Visayan Electric Illuminate Cebu’s Energy Future

Aboitiz Power Corporation, in collaboration with its subsidiary Visayan Electric Company Inc. (Visayan Electric), recently hosted an intensive two-day Power 101 session designed to enhance the understanding of Cebu’s energy landscape for the region’s media professionals.

Peak demand on Cebu Island, projected to rise from 630.85 megawatts in 2023 to 940 megawatts by 2032, highlights the pressing need for energy security and investment in new power infrastructure. | Photo: AboitizPower

The event aimed to empower media members to report more effectively on energy issues, offering insights into the structure and challenges of Cebu’s power industry, with input from energy experts and government representatives.

During the sessions, representatives from the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Electric Power Industry Management Bureau and faculty from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Department of Economics provided a comprehensive overview of the Philippine energy sector.

They outlined the complexities of energy markets, current regulatory frameworks, and the distinct challenges Cebu faces as it seeks to meet growing energy demands.

Peak demand on Cebu Island, projected to rise from 630.85 megawatts in 2023 to 940 megawatts by 2032, highlights the pressing need for energy security and investment in new power infrastructure.

The DoE introduced participants to the Philippine Energy Plan 2023-2050, which outlines a transformative approach to the nation’s energy mix, targeting a 50% share of renewable energy by 2050.

Alongside an ambition to repurpose coal facilities and explore nuclear and offshore wind power, the plan seeks to reduce dependency on coal, which currently accounts for 62% of the country’s power generation.

UPLB faculty also noted that building new power plants typically takes seven years, underscoring the importance of proactive planning to ensure reliable energy for the province and beyond.

Key topics included the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and the mechanisms of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), along with policies on government subsidies, taxation, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

“The energy sector is a vital part of our daily lives, but its complexities can sometimes be difficult to grasp,” shared Quennie Bronce, Visayan Electric’s Reputation Enhancement Manager.

“We hope the seminar equipped [media professionals] with the tools and knowledge to better engage with the power industry.”

As the Philippines’ second-largest private electric distributor, Visayan Electric serves key cities and municipalities in the region.

The Power 101 training reinforces AboitizPower’s commitment to not only expanding its renewable energy portfolio but also fostering a well-informed community as the Philippines aims to achieve a 35% renewable energy share by 2030.

AboitizPower remains at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions, driving the transition toward a resilient and greener energy future.