The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has partnered with Spanish engineering consultancy firm Osprel SL to explore connecting Camiguin Island to the Mindanao power grid through submarine power cables.
According to NEA, the partnership covers electrical, environmental, meteorological, and underwater (bathymetric) studies to provide the island with a more reliable energy supply.
Under the agreement, a detailed technical project will be formulated for the optimized submarine connection, which will support the development and future construction of the cable project, as well as the integration of renewable energy (RE) on the island.
Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol said that the proposed Esperanza-Liong submarine cable will also “enable the full integration of RE from the 100 megawatt (MW) Owakan Wind power project, allowing green power to flow into the Mindanao grid.”
(Also read: Why Energy Storage Systems Are Vital to Renewable Energy)
Infrastructure development for sustainable progress
“This is a meticulous and technically demanding endeavor, but it is precisely what we need if we want to move forward with real solutions and build lasting and sustainable progress,” said NEA Administrator Antonio Almeda.
Energy Assistant Secretary Capongol explained that the proposed 69-kilovolt (kV) submarine cable is intended to replace the outdated 13.2 kV line currently supplying electricity to Camiguin. The upgrade aims to address persistent voltage issues, cut down on system losses, and lower electricity rates for local consumers.
Camiguin, located in the Bohol Sea just north of Mindanao, is served by Camiguin Electric Cooperative Inc. (CAMELCO), which is based in the capital town of Mambajao and is the island’s sole power distributor.
Capongcol highlighted the long-term advantages of the project, particularly for remote and underserved areas.
“Strengthening inter-island connectivity ensures that no Filipino community is left behind in our just and inclusive energy transition,” she said.
(Also read: Aboitiz-DepEd Partnership to Power 300 Off-Grid Schools)
Keeping the lights on in tourist spots
Reliable energy infrastructure is vital to supporting economic development and ensuring the sustainability of tourism in island provinces like Camiguin, which saw a 37 percent increase in visitor arrivals in 2024.
As tourism rebounds and grows, a stable power supply becomes increasingly important—not only for visitor comfort and business operations, but also for the resilience of local communities.
Other tourism hotspots in the Philippines provide stark examples of the consequences of unreliable electricity. In Samal Island, persistent power issues have led to estimated annual economic losses of P120 million to P150 million. These disruptions affect various sectors, from tourism and small businesses to agriculture and public services.
Led by Mayor Al David Uy, the local government of Samal Island has invested P300 million to build a submarine cable that will eventually connect the island to Davao Light, hoping to alleviate the long-standing energy problems threatening the island’s tourism industry.
Siargao Island has also experienced the economic toll of power outages. According to a recent study by the energy advocacy group ILAW, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face daily losses of about P42,000, leading to temporary closures, booking cancellations, and added costs.
(Also read: Power Woes in Tourist Spots a Bane for Business — Study)
Such costly disruptions highlight why targeted energy investments, such as the Esperanza-Liong Submarine Cable project for Camiguin, are vital to sustaining livelihoods, growing local economies, and keeping pace with the needs of rising tourism.
Sources:
https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2025/05/07/671155/camiguin-grid-link-being-studied/
https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/07/nea-enlists-spanish-expertise-for-camiguin-mindanao-power-link-study
https://tribune.net.ph/2025/05/07/study-eyes-camiguin-grid-link
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2023553/camiguin-tourist-arrivals-up-37-in-2024
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1227905
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1956824/samal-govt-eyes-submarine-cable-for-stable-power-supply
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mej5if6aKEM
