Boost Mindanao’s Grid With Agus and Pulangi Hydroelectric Rehab
ILIGAN CITY — Renewable-energy advocates are urging the government to prioritize rehab of Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric power plants in Mindanao to avert power shortfalls across the southern regions. The move could help stabilize supply as demand fluctuates across seasons.
According to BenCyrus Ellorin of Cream (Consumers for Renewable Energy Action in Mindanao), the Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric power complexes are cost-effective options for boosting generation capacity in Visayas and Mindanao. The phrase Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric is cited here as a key solution to broaden the grid’s reach.
Why the yellow alerts matter
Ellorin noted that recent yellow alerts—issued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines on August 1 for Visayas and Mindanao, and on August 5 for Visayas—should serve as a wake-up call about the fragility of the country’s energy mix.
In Mindanao, aging infrastructure and rising demand more than a decade ago opened space for coal-fed capacities to scale up. “That trend brought us both high power cost and the current fragile supply situation,” he added.
What yellow alerts reveal about the grid
A yellow alert means available generation capacity is nearly outpaced by expected peak demand, which can follow plant breakdowns or planned outages for maintenance. The nongovernment Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) says these alerts are no longer rare but increasingly common as the country leans on coal-fired baseload plants.
“Despite the ongoing rainy season, several plants continue to face reliability issues,” ICSC said in a statement. “Unplanned outages among coal-fired plants are becoming frequent as these units are forced to ramp up and down to meet variable demand, hastening wear and tear.”
ICSC adds that the broader problem goes beyond weather; it points to the country’s over-reliance on coal as a deeper systemic issue.
Coal’s heavy stake and the hydro fix
Coal accounts for roughly 60% of the country’s energy mix and about 70% in Mindanao. Ellorin argues that restoring the hydro plants to their prior capacities would spare Visayas and Mindanao from future yellow alerts and trim electricity costs.
The two grids are linked by an undersea power cable, allowing cross-border sharing of generation capacity. Ellorin notes that the Agus plants produce power at less than P2 per kilowatt-hour, a stark contrast to costlier alternatives when the plants run at full strength.
The six Agus plants have a combined rated capacity of about 1,000 megawatts, but are currently operating at roughly half that potential. Local leaders noted that reviving the full dispatch could significantly stabilize prices and supply for Mindanao and nearby regions.
For more news and updates on Mindanao energy security, visit Filipinokami.com.
