BOTH the public and private sectors in Cebu are calling for a more localized approach in addressing the imminent energy crisis in their province to ensure constant electrification of  both the residential and business customers.
The urgency of their appeal stems from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) prediction of a big shortfall of 1,400 megawatts in electricity supply in Cebu by 2026, posing a significant risk to economic stability and the well-being of its people.
The renewed economic vitality of the Queen City of the South could be attributed to a surge in tourism and other businesses like the booming business process outsourcing and real estate sectors.
Unfortunately their heightened activities spur a constantly increasing demand for energy-power supply upon which every household, factory, office, hotel, retail mall and other essential services depend on, such as clean running water, connectivity, safety and security, and health services.
Cognizant of which, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Charles Kenneth Co Cebu sounded the alarm that Cebu faces impending power shortages unless new plants are built.
“The NGCP [National Grid Corp. Philippines] forecasts Cebu’s power requirement is growing 7 percent a year. Maybe in the next 3-4 years, if no new power plants are built, magkakaroon na ng [there will be] power shortage. This is the challenge since it also takes 3-4 years to build a power plant,” he noted.
Cebu is home to 64 percent of Central Visayas’ population. Amid its constant reign as the country’s wealthiest province for the ninth successive year, it remains dependent on power supply from other neighboring islands like Negros, Leyte and Mindanao, who at this time will be equally challenged by the El Niño phenomenon.
Metro Cebu, for instance, with highly urbanized cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu City, accounts for half of the province’s overall demand as they are homes to various industrial, retail, hospitality, and office establishments, as well as residential developments such as subdivisions and condominium projects. Cebu, in turn, partakes half of the entire Visayas region’s total requirement.
While the DOE has green lighted several power projects for Central Visayas meant to boost up its energy capacity, the entire Visayas region already faces a precarious circumstance with limited reserves compared to Luzon and Mindanao—another reality highlighted by Panay’s black January.
Exacerbating the situation is the ensuing El Niño, which is being felt nationwide. This is projected to stretch through the first half of 2024.
A scenario of long-drawn power shortages and blackouts in Cebu is feared to have catastrophic consequences.
Taking a cue from the Cory administration blackouts that brought down the Philippine economy on its knees in the 1990s, the CCCI president warned that Cebu could ill afford such “last-minute” mentality.
Had the province do not secure now its energy needs, Co believes that a Cory-style energy crisis will cost the region billions of pesos in productivity, triggering shutdowns, job losses, dampening the investment climate, and compromising all social services.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia could not agree more to him. She, too, has emphasized the importance of investing in inland baseload power plants for energy security.
Although she recognizes the importance of the Mindanao-Visayas interconnection project, Garcia stressed the need for Cebu’s self-sufficiency in power to sustain its robust economy and growing population, urging immediate action rather than waiting until 2027.
Increasing conventional power capacity together with renewable energy investments is critical for a balanced energy ecosystem that supports development and sustainability goals.
Cebu, with its thriving industries producing multiplier effects across society and uplifting living standards, literally needs energy to sustain its momentum.
The provincial governor’s strong support for power independence shows a forward-thinking mindset in tackling the province’s energy needs, securing its ongoing development, and ensuring the welfare of its citizens and the environment.
Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/04/03/more-power-plants-localized-solutions-needed-to-save-cebu-residents/

More power plants, localized solutions needed to save Cebu residents