The Negros-based Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS) joined the call for a clear energy roadmap in the Visayas region.
This is in line with the warning issued by the Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (CERA), that Cebu is entering a “critical energy” phase by 2026.
The consumer group led by ACCESS president Wennie Sancho raised its concern following a Department of Energy (DOE) projection indicating a potential power crunch across the Visayas within two years.
The DOE earlier flagged that increasing consumption and delayed construction of new power plants could leave Cebu and neighboring islands vulnerable to supply instability. Business groups in the manufacturing and export sectors have reportedly raised alarms over escalating energy costs and production delays caused by unstable power supply.
Sancho is scheduled to meet with members of the Alliance of Consumers in Northern Negros (ACNN) to discuss the implications of this new developments and to firm up their support for the proposed JVA between Negros Power and NONECO.
Also in progress are the Cebu-Negros Panay Interconnection Projects (Stages 1-3) which aims to strengthen Visayas grid’s backbone and improve inter-island energy sharing. The NGCP said its ongoing projects are intended to ensure reliable and efficient delivery of electricity across the country.
ACCESS and Power Watch Negros Advocates have joined the call of CERA urging both the DOE and the local utilities to publish a transparent time bound energy roadmap for the wider Visayas Region such as the 5-year Development Plan implemented by Negros Power in Central Negros.
ACCESS is strongly urging the local government of Northern Negros to expedite the proposed partnership or joint venture agreement (JVA) between Negros Power and NONECO to prepare for dark days ahead as power supply may fall short by 2026.*
