By CESAR JOLITO III
The Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS) has raised alarm over what it describes as a “converging storm” threatening power stability in the Visayas, citing thin supply reserves and escalating global oil risks as key drivers of a potential energy crisis in the coming months.
In a position paper released yesterday, ACCESS President Wennie Sancho warned that the Visayas power grid is operating with dangerously low reserves, with a yellow alert projected as early as May 2026.
This, combined with rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East — particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route — could significantly drive up electricity costs and increase the likelihood of rotating brownouts.
ACCESS said power demand in the Visayas continues to rise due to economic activity, higher temperatures and increased electrification, while the addition of reliable power capacity has lagged behind.
The situation leaves the grid vulnerable, where even routine maintenance of a single power plant could trigger supply alerts.
ACCESS also pointed to structural weaknesses in the country’s transmission system, managed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
The group said the grid was designed for traditional, centralized energy sources such as coal and fossil fuel plants, making it ill-equipped to handle the growing share of renewable energy.
While the Philippines is targeting 35 percent renewable energy in its power mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, ACCESS noted that limited grid capacity and outdated infrastructure hinder the efficient integration of renewable sources.
In areas like Negros and Panay, solar, wind and biomass facilities are already producing power that cannot be fully utilized due to transmission constraints, resulting in wasted clean energy while more expensive fuel-based plants continue to operate.
The group emphasized that global oil dependency further compounds the problem.
With the Philippines importing over 90 percent of its crude oil, any disruption or price spike linked to Middle East tensions directly affects power generation costs, particularly for diesel-dependent plants. Consumers, ACCESS said, bear the burden through higher fuel prices, increased electricity rates, and rising costs of goods and transportation.
ACCESS identified several systemic issues, including underinvestment in transmission infrastructure, lack of incentives for energy storage and ancillary services, and insufficient strategic fuel reserves.
These gaps, it said, leave vulnerable sectors such as minimum wage earners and farmers exposed to rising costs.
Despite these challenges, the group highlighted positive developments at the local level, particularly in Central Negros. It cited ongoing initiatives by Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power), including infrastructure upgrades, faster outage response, system loss reduction, and improved consumer services through digital platforms.
ACCESS also pointed to a proposed partnership between Negros Power and the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) as a potential model for addressing power issues.
The collaboration aims to accelerate modernization efforts, improve service reliability, and enhance the integration of renewable energy across a wider service area.
If implemented effectively, the partnership could extend improved power services to consumers in northern Negros, including the cities of Victorias and San Carlos, while helping stabilize electricity rates amid global uncertainties.
“The Filipino consumer did not choose this perilous journey,” ACCESS said in its statement.
“But through coordinated national reforms and strong local initiatives, we can build resilience against these challenges,” it added.
ACCESS concluded by calling for urgent action to modernize the grid, strengthen energy security, and promote collaboration across the power sector to ensure stable and affordable electricity for all./CJ, WDJ