As Mindanao faces high power demand, Makati City Mayor and senatorial candidate Abby Binay has proposed renewable energy as a solution to the issue.

In a press conference in Carmen, Davao del Norte, the mayor pushed for her advocacy, stating "I think there is an opportunity for renewable energy."

Binay said renewable energy -- solar, hydroelectric, and biomass -- make up only a small percentage of Mindanao’s power capacity. She added that solar and biomass contribute only two percent to the capacity mix, along with hydroelectric energy.

“And those are untapped potentials that Mindanao can be a source of solution to the demand for power,” she said.

The mayor added that solar power would also address the lingering problem of electricity in schools in remote areas.

“Siguro tapusin na natin 'yung last mile sa mga eskwelahan… And Mindanao should be one of those na matapos ang mga eskwelahan (Maybe we should complete the electrification of last-mile schools… And Mindanao should be one of the regions where this is achieved through renewable energy),” the mayor said.

“I noticed na 'yung mga eskwelahan na tinatayo ngayon ay may solar panel na. So ibig sabihin, they will produce their own power, so hindi na sila kailangan mag-connect sa grid if ever (I noticed that the schools being built now have solar panels. This means they will generate their own power and won’t need to connect to the grid if necessary),” she added.

She also pointed out that introducing new and cleaner power sources would help bring more investors to Mindanao, especially in the food and agriculture sectors.

In 2024, Mindanao’s business sector expressed concern that unless the government finds new sources of energy, the region could experience a power crisis starting in 2027 or 2028.

Meanwhile, to further promote her advocacy, Binay proposed the tax-free importation of solar panels and other solar power technology, as well as incentives for households and businesses that switch to solar energy.