The Department of Energy has confirmed it is fully mobilized to safeguard power supply as the Philippines braces for a projected Super El Niño lasting through the first half of 2027, with the driest conditions forecast from November this year to April 2027. Officials emphasized readiness while laying out clear challenges, balancing transparency against alarm over potential supply tightness.
Energy Undersecretary Mario Marasigan outlined key preparations during the Philippine International Nuclear Energy Forum in Taguig City on Tuesday, noting the department has inventoried available diesel generator sets ready for deployment to vulnerable locations such as hospitals and medical facilities when needed. The DOE is also accounting for reduced output from nature-dependent renewable energy sources, estimating hydropower generation could drop by roughly 60 percent, while biomass facilities may face limited feedstock due to expected lower agricultural yields during the dry spell.
Particular attention is being directed to the Visayas power grid, which remains most vulnerable to supply constraints. Officials said current efforts center on strengthening Visayas’ own generation capacity so the region becomes less reliant on power imports from Luzon and Mindanao, easing pressure across the national transmission network during peak demand periods.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin earlier stressed the importance of being candid without being alarmist about the outlook, noting she has already coordinated with Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Francis Saturnino Juan to ensure market safeguards remain firmly in place. The directive aims to prevent unfair pricing practices or market abuse should supply conditions tighten due to prolonged dry weather, reinforcing that regulatory readiness stands alongside operational preparedness as El Niño’s impacts unfold.
