Negros Power has secured a five-year, 20-megawatt baseload supply contract with Aboitiz Power Corp.’s Therma Visayas, a deal expected to fortify energy security as Central Negros works to fully recover from Typhoon Tino’s damage.
The agreement is seen as a stabilizing force for the grid at a time when rebuilding efforts continue and electricity demand is steadily rising across the province.
The Department of Energy (DOE) reported that more than 92 percent of the 244,915 customers affected by Tino had been re-energized by mid-November, marking one of the fastest large-scale power restorations in the region in recent years. Crews have been replacing toppled poles, restringing snapped lines, and repairing damaged distribution assets in areas where the typhoon left entire communities without power for days.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin credited the rapid turnaround to close coordination between government agencies, utilities, and local stakeholders. She praised the work of linemen, volunteers, and local leaders who pushed through hazardous debris and unstable structures to restore electricity, calling the effort “a remarkable show of unity.”
According to the DOE, the restoration of all five sub-transmission lines, 11 substations, and 48 feeders reflects what it described as “a model of bayanihan in the energy sector.”
For Negros Power, the new baseload contract with AboitizPower provides a firm supply anchor just as pressure on the grid intensifies. Industry analysts note that long-term power supply agreements help shield consumers from sudden price surges in the spot market, a point echoed in recent DOE advisories urging utilities to secure reliable capacity ahead of the grid-stressing dry season.
AboitizPower, one of the country’s largest and most diversified energy producers, continues to expand its presence across the Visayas, making the agreement a strategic fit for both companies.
Negros Power President and Chief Executive Officer Roel Castro said the deal underscores the company’s commitment to long-term reliability as its customer base grows. He described the agreement as a pivotal moment that strengthens confidence in the region’s power stability.
The contract also aligns with Negros Power’s P2.1–P2.5 billion, five-year modernization program aimed at overhauling infrastructure that has served the province for more than two decades. Planned upgrades include rehabilitating aging feeders, installing new protection systems, and fully integrating Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology to enhance real-time grid visibility and response.
With power restoration nearing completion and fresh investment flowing into the network, Negros Power is positioning Central Negros for a more resilient grid, quicker disaster response, and steadier energy access as the region rebuilds and expands.
