Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) is seeking to accelerate its grid modernization by allocating P1.3 billion to upgrade infrastructure, expand electricity access and improve service reliability across the province.
Specifically, the local distributor firm said it was using the funds to, among others, improve its power system, upgrade its substations as well as power lines, transformers and poles.These upgrades have since improved their service, slashing the average number of power interruptions to just 1.41 per month in 2025, or a 59 percent drop from the previous year.
Power outages are also much shorter, down to a monthly average of 129 minutes in 2025 from an average of 993 minutes per month in 2024.
“Our goal is to ensure that our customers continue to enjoy affordable power while supporting our long-term sustainability through renewable energy,” said Roel Z. Castro, President and CEO of Negros Power.
Alongside grid upgrades, the company is expanding electricity access to rural communities through its Sitio Electrification Program (SEP). By the end of 2025, Negros Power had energized 41 sitios, bringing electricity to 2,061 households.
The program aims to reach 10,241 households in 318 more sitios over the next few years. To make the process easier for residents in far-flung areas, the company also introduced on-site applications and on-site payments.
Beyond electrification, Negros Power is ramping up major infrastructure improvements in urban areas, including the rollout of underground distribution systems (UDS) or shifting from overhead lines to underground cables.
Energization of key streets in Iloilo City and other key cities already began in January 2026 and is expected to improve grid resilience and enhance the aesthetic appearance of urban centers.
To support growing electricity demand, Negros Power is also deploying a 37.5-megavolt-ampere (MVA) mobile substation scheduled for installation within the year. The P192-million facility will help ensure continuous electricity supply while permanent substations undergo upgrades and will provide additional capacity as power demand increases.
Local leaders, including former Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, have welcomed the company’s modernization efforts, noting that the improvements are strengthening the province’s energy infrastructure while maintaining affordable electricity rates.
As it expands renewable energy supply and continues upgrading the grid, Negros Power said it aims to build a more resilient and sustainable electricity system for Negros Occidental.
The company added that its modernization initiatives could serve as a model for other distribution utilities seeking to improve reliability and expand electricity access across the country.
