President Marcos has lauded the energization and inauguration of the newly completed Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230-kiloVolt (kV) Backbone Stage 3 (CNP3), saying it brings the country one step closer to having a stable and reliable power transmission.

Marcos said this as he graced the simultaneous ceremonial energization of the P67.98-billion project, spearheaded by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which was completed on March 27, 2024.

In his speech during the event on Monday morning, April 8, the President said that the imperative of ensuring energy security for national and regional economic growth cannot be overstated.

"No region can be an economic powerhouse without [a] reliable supply of power. No region can attain a dynamic economy if it is hobbled by inadequate power transmission systems," he said.

"Power outages are a hindrance to progress. Our power system must be the spark to ignite development," he added.

By enhancing connectivity and stability in the transmission network through the CNP, Marcos said the government not only addresses immediate power challenges in Negros and Panay but also lays the foundation for a more sustainable and robust energy for the entire country.

"The timely completion of critical transmission projects in strategic locations is paramount to avoid power disruptions and to ensure our continued development," he said.

"Let us remain steadfast in our drive to ensure the timely completion of these remaining major transmission projects to bolster the stability of our power grid," he added.

President Marcos then urged stakeholders in the Visayas to ensure the island group's energy supply.

"I implore all our stakeholders in the Visayas to strategically identify suitable locations that will host new baseload generation plants as well as renewable energy and energy storage systems. This will bolster energy sufficiency and sustainability and Negros and Panay," he said.

"I encourage private generators to invest in the Negros and Panay sub-grids so that the region can meet its energy demands and ensure self-sufficiency in the long run," he added.

This CNP complements the existing Amlan-Samboan submarine cable which is currently utilized to connect Cebu and Negros islands.

The first stage of the CNP Project added a new 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Bacolod to E.B Magalona, while the second stage upgraded the Cebu Substation to 230kV level.

The CNP comprises 670 transmission towers spanning 442 circuit kilometers of overhead lines, 98.9 circuit kilometers of submarine cables with 10 new substations, and the expansion of two existing major substations.

Recent reports from the Department of Energy (DOE) show that with the completion of the CNP3 by the NGCP, the entire backbone project in the Visayas is now running at full capacity.