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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider ERC clears Siargao power project to end island outages

ERC clears Siargao power project to end island outages

Published Jan 21, 2026 02:20 pm
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has authorized the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to proceed with the ₱11.4 billion interconnection project designed to stabilize power supply on Siargao Island.
In a formal notice, the industry regulator greenlit the Claver-Siargao Interconnection Project (CSIP), which involves the construction of a 69-kilovolt transmission facility.
The project will link the Cagdianao line to the island through a dedicated submarine cable and two new switching stations. The NGCP, the country’s sole grid operator, aims to complete the installation by June 2030.
The move follows a series of disruptions that have raised the fragility of the island’s current energy framework. On Jan. 9, Siargao was hit by a widespread outage after a 34.5-megavolt submarine cable tripped between Claver and Doña Helen.
Currently, the Siargao Electric Cooperative Inc. (Siarelco) relies on a tap connection from the Mindanao Grid via roughly 42 kilometers of 34.5-kilovolt lines. These existing lines, which are owned and maintained by the cooperative, have struggled to keep pace with the island's rapid commercial expansion.
The ERC noted that the project is intended to increase transmission capacity and ensure the grid remains within normal operating levels as demand grows. This expansion is viewed as vital for Siarelco to manage the rising load requirements of a tourism-heavy economy that has seen a significant surge in visitors following the pandemic.
Local advocacy groups have warned that the pace of infrastructure development must accelerate to prevent economic fallout. ILAW Pilipinas, a non-government organization, recently cautioned that persistent power instability puts undue pressure on the local workforce and business owners.
The group pointed to data showing Siargao recorded 112,510 tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 alone, arguing that recurring outages increase operational costs and threaten the island’s reputation as a premier destination.
By upgrading the connection to a 69-kilovolt system, the NGCP expects to reduce the island's dependence on the aging 34.5-kilovolt overhead and submarine lines.

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Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Siargao
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