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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider AboitizPower connects Samal Island to Davao grid

AboitizPower connects Samal Island to Davao grid

Published Mar 12, 2026 11:32 am

Aboitiz-led Davao Light and Power Co. (DavaoLight) is entering Samal Island as it develops an interconnection project that lays cables connecting Davao City to the off-grid island.

In a statement on Thursday, March 12, Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) reported that DavaoLight has completed its submarine cable laying in Pakiputan Strait, effectively linking the Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City. The 1,015-meter cable was produced and procured from China.

Additionally, a 69-kilovolt (kV) cable terminal project is slated for completion in the middle of the year. It is designed to resolve power network stability issues and accommodate growing load requirements in Samal. In the next phase, divers will secure the submarine cables underwater.

This comes after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) granted provisional authority to clear the way for the submarine cable laying project.

DavaoLight President Enriczar Tia assured that the distribution utility (DU) is ready to supply electricity and provide power services to Samal, which has nearly 120,000 residents as of the 2024 census.

This significant grid link follows the DU’s expansion approval from the Regional Trial Court (RTC)-Panabo Branch 4 last February. Prior to this, AboitizPower noted that Samal experienced multiple power constraints due to aging infrastructure and slowdowns in network maintenance.

“The frequent outages on the island have strained households, disrupted businesses, and weakened Samal’s potential as a tourism hub. A former local executive said that the city incurred annual damages of about ₱120 million to ₱150 million since the 2010s due to inconsistencies and unresolved power issues,” AboitizPower highlighted.

DavaoLight now has the authority to acquire the assets and franchise area of Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco), transitioning from a power cooperative to a private distribution firm. The company plans about ₱1 billion to ₱2 billion in capital expenditures to fund the expansion.

Samal Mayor Lemuel Reyes lauded the effort, hoping it will boost economic activities in the area.

“With the expected stability in the power network, we look to attract investors and generate more jobs for our people here in Samal,” he said.

DavaoLight is currently the country’s largest privately owned DU, with a franchise area that covers Davao City and Panabo City, as well as the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali, and Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte province.

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