Energy & Mining

Renergy firm NKS Solar One Inc. has received official approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to develop and own dedicated transmission infrastructure worth P1.38 billion, which will connect its 250-megawatt floating solar power project on Laguna Lake to the main Luzon power grid.

Gov’t manages impact of major fuel price hikes Energy The Department of Energy announced that local fuel companies will implement significant across-the-board price hikes this week, driven by rising global tensions. Expected per-liter increases could reach as high as ₱3.65 for gasoline, ₱10.68 for diesel, and ₱11.77 for kerosene. This sharp upward adjustment follows a week of mixed price changes and stems directly from the breakdown of the US-Iran truce and recent tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, both of which have disrupted global supply chains and renewed concerns over Middle East petroleum shipments. Despite the steep increases, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin assured the public that the government remains on top of the situation and is taking all legally permissible steps to cushion the impact. Garin emphasized that while the Philippines cannot control international market forces, local fuel inventories remain sufficient and adequate for normal operations. Furthermore, because the country remains under a National Energy Emergency, the energy department is actively coordinating with local government units to prevent illegal activities like hoarding, ensuring that Filipinos can continue their daily routines with confidence.

The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is intensifying talks with local and foreign energy firms as it races to secure the reliable, clean electricity needed to unlock billions of pesos in investments in data centers, advanced manufacturing and logistics.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is set to complete ten major infrastructure projects worth a combined P30.89 billion during the second half of 2026. Details shared by the firm include key undertakings such as the relocation of steel poles along the Hermosa-Duhat 230 kilovolt transmission line, the Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay transmission line, and the Luzon Voltage Improvement Project 3.

Local motorists should brace for a hefty increase in fuel prices this week, with diesel prices projected to surge by as much as P10.50 per liter and gasoline by up to P4 per liter. Jetti Petroleum President Leo Bellas confirmed that these steep upward adjustments reflect a full five-day trading period in the global market, alongside foreign exchange averages, rising cargo premiums, and local industry recovery efforts. While gasoline is expected to climb between P3.50 and P4 per liter, diesel will see a minimum hike of P10 per liter. No price outlook was provided for kerosene.