While Cebu’s current power supply of over 600 megawatts is still sufficient to meet the demands of the entire island-province, this may not be true in the very near future.
Speaking at the “Powering Cebu - Energy Forum” organized by 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯 and 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳 newspapers, the Governor raised the alarm by saying that Cebu’s power demand exceeds the national average year-on-year, a clear indicator of Cebu’s rapid growth and development.
“If we are to even be able to match the phenomenal growth that Cebu is experiencing right now, we would have to be very serious about generating more capacity,” the Governor told of energy stakeholders, national and local government officials, and industry leaders gathered at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on November 6.
“Power is a crucial and non-negotiable ingredient to progress,” she added.
The Governor’s remarks came as the Capitol embarks on a groundbreaking energy initiative — a partnership with global energy company Acciona Energia and Freya Renewables for the development of a 150-megawatt solar power plant in Daanbantayan.
The project marks a significant milestone for Cebu, as it takes steps toward securing a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, while simultaneously boosting its energy capacity to support the growing demands of its economy.
The solar power plant, which is slated to be operational in the coming years, is expected to significantly reduce the province’s reliance on traditional energy sources, providing a steady and renewable supply of power to communities and industries alike.
The project is also expected to create hundreds of jobs during its construction phase, with long-term benefits for both local businesses and residents.
Governor Garcia urged stakeholders to embrace the opportunities presented by renewable energy and to work together in building a resilient, energy-secure future for Cebu. With power being a key pillar of economic development, she stressed the need for continued investment in infrastructure that would allow the province to thrive in an increasingly energy-conscious world. | JMT