Data from the Department of Energy (DOE) shows that at least 2,875 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) projects in Mindanao are in the indicative phase as of October 2024.
Here’s a breakdown of Mindanao’s RE projects in the pipeline:
Source: Department of Energy Philippines
On track with renewable energy goals
While these renewable energy projects are still in the planning stage, they support the DOE’s goal to increase the share of renewable energy in the Mindanao grid by 35% by 2035 and 50% by 2050.
Engr. Rapha Julysses Perez, a science research specialist II of the DOE-Mindanao Field Office, shared this target last December 2024 in an interview at the sidelines of the Kapehan sa Dabaw, a weekly press conference of the Davao Press Club.
During the press conference, Perez revealed that Mindanao is within sight of its 2035 target of 35% renewables in its energy mix. As of 2024, Mindanao’s grid already sources 31% of its power from renewable energy.
(Also read: The Most Significant Energy Projects in Mindanao in 2024: A Wrap-up)
Gearing up for regional energy security
Peak energy demand in Mindanao increased by 10.93% from 2023 (2,323 MW) to 2024 (2,577 MW), but the region’s energy supply was sufficient to meet the demand. Perez underlined the importance of the recently inaugurated Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), which bolsters Mindanao’s energy security while also supplying Visayas with power.
However, Perez told reporters that the current supply levels might only be sufficient for the next three years without new power generation facilities.
(Also read: DOE Mindanao in need of more energy sources for energy security)
To address this potential shortage, the DOE-Mindanao Field Office has several committed energy projects to meet the region’s increasing energy demands. Slated to go online between 2025 and 2028, these projects include 258 MW of solar power and 220 MW of energy storage systems.
(Also read: An industry-first 49 MW energy storage solution in Davao)
“These committed power projects have entered the point of no return. That’s why it’s called ‘committed.’ That’s what it implies,” Perez said.
Perez shared that the government aims to diversify the country’s energy mix because the “more supply that we have, the cheaper electricity prices will become.”
“That’s why the power industry is deregulated to promote more players on the generation side, which will hopefully promote healthy competition that will be advantageous for the consumers,” Perez added.
Sources:
https://doe.gov.ph/sites/default/files/pdf/electric_power/07_Mindanao%20Indicative.pdf
https://doe.gov.ph/sites/default/files/pdf/energy_statistics/05_Peak%20Demand_2023.pdf
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/doe-ample-power-supply-in-mindanao-2
