News and Updates

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issued its first yellow alert for the Luzon grid this year, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, due to insufficient operating margin amid rising temperature.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the highest heat index in Luzon reached 42°C in Echague, Isabela, and Baler, Aurora.

The NGCP recorded peak demand at 11,829 megawatts (MW), with an available capacity of 12,488 MW, leaving a slim operating margin of 659 MW.

The situation was aggravated by forced outages and derated power plants.

“Eight plants have been on forced outage since February, and four other power plants out since 2024; while 16 are running on derated capacities, for a total of 3,362.3 MW unavailable to the grid,” the NGCP said.

The Department of Energy forecasted that peak demand in the Luzon grid this year is at 14,769 MW higher than the actual peak demand of the 14,016 MW recorded on April 24, 2024.

Meanwhile, both Visayas and Mindanao grids are in normal operation, NGCP said.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: PNA

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Ayala Corp. have signed a $100-million financing deal to support the company’s efforts to develop an electric mobility (e-mobility) ecosystem in the Philippines.

In a statement, ADB Country Director for the Philippines Pavit Ramachandran said the project is a “significant step towards a sustainable and low-carbon future for the Philippines.” 

“We are not only addressing critical environmental challenges such as air pollution, but also driving economic growth through the creation of green jobs, enhancing energy security, and promoting inclusive and resilient urban development,” he said.

The Ayala Electric Mobility Ecosystem Project has secured an $85-million ordinary-capital-resources loan from the ADB and a $15-million concessional loan from the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA).

CANPA is a trust fund managed by ADB that is supported by the government of Canada. It aims to support private sector projects in the region that focus on “climate and nature-based solutions.”

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: 

The Philippines can access a potential export market of $788.4 million for its solar photovoltaic (PV) modules if it properly addresses the non-tariff barriers hindering the trade, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. said.

“For specialized solar components, the solar PV modules, the Philippines has room to expand its exports to the US ($189.4 million), China ($171.6 million), the Netherlands ($64.7 million), Vietnam ($46.4 million), and Germany ($43 million),” the export group said.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Philippines wants to become a regional data centre hub, but high power prices, coal-heavy electricity, grid constraints and climate risks are testing that vision. Analysts say data centres could grow fast, yet competitiveness will depend on how quickly renewables, grid upgrades, permitting reforms and climate-resilient infrastructure actually materialise on the ground.

Mets Cold Storage has signed a deal with First Gen Corp. to power its nationwide facilities with up to 2.05 MW of geothermal energy from Mount Apo. The partnership supports Mets’ expansion and highlights geothermal power’s growing role in the Philippines’ low-carbon transition.

The Philippines is moving toward nuclear power with the creation of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom), signaling policy certainty for investors. The government targets 1,200 MW of nuclear capacity by 2032 across 15 potential sites. Officials are exploring separate auctions and multilateral financing, with U.S. backing pushing institutions like the World Bank and ADB to consider nuclear investments.

The Philippines’ Department of Energy has launched its Fifth Green Energy Auction (GEA-5), focusing solely on fixed-bottom offshore wind. With a target of 3,300 MW and delivery scheduled between 2028 and 2030, GEA-5 aims to build a strong foundation for the offshore wind sector using proven, scalable technology.

MGreen has achieved 42% progress on what will be the world’s largest solar-plus-storage project in the Philippines. Set to power 2.4 million homes by 2026, the project marks a major milestone in the country’s energy transition, boosting renewable capacity and energy security