Engineer Keelvin Ed Dajao, DOE-Visayas senior research specialist, discussing the power situation in Visayas. (MSH/PIA Cebu)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — Given the critical role of power in ensuring the smooth conduct of the National and Local Elections (NLE) on May 12, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) is taking comprehensive measures to guarantee a stable and uninterrupted power supply throughout the election day in Central Visayas.
“The Department of Energy is mandated to ensure reliability of the electric grid, the power grid and not only the power but also the availability of our oil and gas supply during not only normal times, but especially during this very important democratic process in our country,” said DOE-Visayas senior research specialist Engineer Keelvin Ed Dajao.
DOE has issued directives to all electric cooperatives and distribution utilities across the Visayas region to maintain normal grid operations and verify connections at election facilities.
The department has also directed the electric cooperatives to hold pre-election testing, complete infrastructure repairs prior to May 12, exempt polling places from load shedding, and equip emergency response teams.
As part of its preparations for the upcoming NLE, the DOE-Visayas has conducted simulations for weeks 17 to 24 of 2025, which encompass the election period.
On the Visayas power outlook with High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) import, the Visayas region is projected to maintain ample reserves even during peak demand periods.
Without the HVDC imports, reserves will be considerably thinner during peak demand but within the limits of the standards of the grid.
According to the analysis, reserves would be lower but still supply the needed minimum requirements of the grid during election week (week 20).
HVDC import pertains to the export or the import of power from Mindanao via Santander in Cebu and from Luzon via Ormoc.
DOE will continue to issue advisories specific to the 2025 NLE, reinforcing the government’s commitment to power security during this critical period.
Current power situation in Visayas
According to Dajao, the Visayas grid shows adequate capacity levels as of March 2025.
With a total installed capacity of approximately 3,860 megawatts (MW) and dependable capacity of 3,297 MW against the 2025 peak demand of 2,435 MW, the Visayas region maintains sufficient reserves for the present time.
Dependable capacity refers to the power plants that can actually be delivered to the grid, considering facilities that may be under maintenance, experiencing forced outages, or operating at reduced capacity, explained DOE-Visayas supervising senior research specialist Engineer William Carido.
The Visayas grid reached an all-time high peak demand of 2,681 megawatts in May 2024, and similar peaks are expected this year.
“Year by year, we are increasing our demand which suggests that our economic activity for the Visayas grid is also increasing,” Dajao said. (MSH/PIA Cebu)
