Catanduanes electricity provider adds gensets to fix power woes

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- After President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told the Department of Energy (DOE) to quickly address Catanduanes’ ongoing power crisis, the island’s electricity provider sent out several generator sets over the weekend to help restore electricity to this growing tourist spot in the Bicol region.

“Good news ito sa ating mga Catandunganons,” Governor Patrick Azanza said about the generators, which were sent after President Marcos gave the order during a Cabinet meeting to solve the island’s power shortage.

Kim Arevalo Chiong, a supervisor at the Bureau of Broadcast Services in Catanduanes, said that the developments resulted from Azanza’s trip to the DOE.

“It was President Bongbong Marcos who ordered the DOE to address the electricity problem, specifically mentioning our island of Catanduanes,” he concluded.

In a statement issued Monday, the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative Inc. (Ficelco) announced that Isla Dagyab Energy Corp. has brought several generators to increase the facility’s operating capacity.

The province is currently experiencing a power supply deficit, resulting in rotational power outages. The growing economic activity and rising population here are cited as among the major causes.

Ficelco noted that the power plant in Catanduanes can only supply 10.780 megawatts (MW), leading to a shortfall of 6 to 7 MW against the total demand of about 17 MW.

Azanza said that testing on the new generators will begin immediately and is expected to continue until the second week of June 2026, with a go-live target around that time.

He said the supply situation will improve once the new generators become operational.

Additionally, Azanza said that Energy Secretary Sharon Garin and National Electrification Administrator Nani Almeda are working to provide a 24 MW power plant as a medium-term solution to Catanduanes’ increasing demand.

“We expect the bidding process for the 24 MW to be completed within six months,” he said.

Looking toward a long-term solution, Azanza said he envisions connecting the island to the main power grid to eliminate its off-grid status.

“This connection should be accompanied by renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro, and wind power,” he added. (PIA Bicol)