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Mindanao has transitioned from chronic power shortages to becoming a net electricity exporter, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson and Secretary Leo Tereso Magno said, underscoring the island’s expanding role in national development and its alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s infrastructure and renewable energy agenda.
Speaking at the Energy Investment Forum on Feb. 13, Magno recalled a time when persistent supply shortfalls hampered investments and discouraged business expansion in Mindanao.
“Now, we can proudly say we supply, I think 400 megawatts… of the power that we produce in Mindanao to Visayas and Luzon,” he said.
Energy Surplus
The shift has been enabled by the ₱51-billion Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), completed between 2023 and 2024, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). The project allows the transfer of up to 450 megawatts (MW) of electricity between Mindanao and the Visayas, expandable to 900 MW.
With the interconnection in place, Mindanao’s surplus power can now be transmitted to other parts of the country. Magno’s estimate that around 400 MW are being supplied to Luzon and the Visayas reflects the island’s strengthened position within the national grid.
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) reported in 2025 that Mindanao’s grid had more than sufficient supply for local demand and was capable of exporting electricity to the Visayas.
Magno credited the Department of Energy (DOE) for its partnership, particularly through co-chairing the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee, which he said has played a key role in stabilizing supply. While current levels are adequate, he emphasized the need to ensure long-term energy resilience and sustainability.
Renewable Energy Growth
Magno said reliable electricity, particularly from renewable sources, is helping reposition Mindanao as an investment hub.
“We remember the days when people would not look at Mindanao as an investment hub. Today, with reliable energy and strong partnerships, we are ready to welcome investors and drive inclusive growth,” he said.
President Marcos has placed renewable energy at the center of his climate and development agenda, pledging to expand hydropower, geothermal, solar and wind capacity as part of the country’s transition to cleaner energy. In his first State of the Nation Address, he identified renewable energy adoption as a cornerstone of efforts to address climate change and strengthen energy security.
In February 2026, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) reaffirmed its support for the administration’s energy agenda, committing to expand renewable energy adoption and extend electricity access to underserved communities.
(Also read: Philippines’ Green Energy Drive Gains Ground, but Key Bottlenecks Persist)
Alignment With National Strategy
Beyond energy, MinDA has expressed full support for the President’s directive to accelerate priority projects identified by regional development councils. Magno issued the statement following Marcos’ meeting with the Regional Development Council in Region 9.
Magno said MinDA’s role is to ensure that regional priorities are translated into concrete action. He cited infrastructure projects such as fish ports, road networks, seaports and airports as essential to connecting communities to markets and services, reducing transport costs and boosting agricultural productivity.
“These efforts are complemented by programs of the Marcos Administration in education and skills training, equipping more Filipinos with the tools to secure sustainable livelihoods and reinforcing the administration’s recognition of Mindanao as a vital driver of national progress,” Magno said.
He added that the MinDA Board of Directors, which includes Regional Development Council chairs, provides a mechanism for aligning local aspirations with national strategies. Through its Public-Private Partnership Desk, MinDA also seeks to facilitate private sector participation in development initiatives.
Magno’s remarks position Mindanao’s energy turnaround as part of a broader strategy to integrate infrastructure, renewable energy expansion and regional planning into a cohesive national growth framework.
Source:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/amp/story/davao/business/mindanao-exports-power-nationwide
