The ongoing power crisis in Siquijor clearly shows the risks of depending on just one centralized fossil fuel-based energy source. As an off-grid island, the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO) depends solely on the Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR), a diesel power plant operator with a 20-year power supply contract. This left Siquijor fully dependent on one company’s operation and planning. Even with multiple diesel generators, it still failed to meet demand starting in May 2025, leaving the island without enough power during a critical time. However, it doesn’t have to be this way, as other off-grid islands in the country have already hybridized and diversified their power generation portfolio. 

Without additional contracted capacity or alternative sources of electricity from the main grid, the island remains exposed to the risk of continuous rotating blackouts, given the higher actual demand compared to the projected demand of 8.16MW. This underscores the urgent need for a more reliable and diversified power generation mix in both Siquijor Island and across the country. We must prioritize indigenous and distributed energy sources like solar and wind. In off-grid areas, accelerating solar PV and hybridization, where diesel generators are used only as a backup, can help enhance supply reliability while also reducing fuel costs and emissions. Independent power producers can also help drive this by promoting market competition, which can potentially lower electricity prices for consumers.

Combining existing diesel plants with renewable energy through hybridization can reduce fuel dependence, lower operational costs, and ensure a more reliable electricity supply. Over time, as storage technologies become more widely available and cost-competitive, reliance on diesel can be further reduced or completely phased out. 

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) welcomed the awarded installation of a 5MW ground-mounted solar facility in Maria, Siquijor, symbolizing an important step towards diversifying the power generation mix and improving local energy security. With the construction timeline, permitting processes, and related preparations, electricity generation from this facility is expected to be available by 2026. Aside from large-scale renewable energy projects, there is also an opportunity for Siquijor to learn from similar efforts in other parts of the country, like Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and Paranas, Samar. The experiences of these municipalities demonstrate how small-scale renewable energy initiatives can be successfully implemented even in resource-constrained and geographically remote areas. In both cases, local governments played a catalytic role by embedding renewable energy goals into their broader development agenda, forming partnerships with civil society groups, cooperatives, development agencies, and technical experts. This collaborative approach mobilized support and unlocked investment for clean energy projects tailored to the needs of their communities.

Siquijor can take inspiration from these models, showing that when empowered with the right tools, local governments can become enablers of innovation, helping to coordinate energy planning, accelerate project implementation, and bring together diverse stakeholders to support distributed renewable energy deployment.

Beyond diversifying the power generation mix through indigenous and distributed energy resources in the island, other actions that have to be done are: 

  1. Review and Alignment of the Power Supply Procurement Plan (PSPP)
    A comprehensive review of the island’s PSPP and the distribution utility’s procurement strategy must be undertaken to ensure alignment with the Provincial Development Plan. This is essential to determine whether the projected supply can meet the island’s growing energy demand. Moreover, the review should emphasize the need for a diversified power supply portfolio. Sole reliance on a single generator—such as a diesel power plant—exposes consumers to affordability risks and reliability issues due to price volatility and operational vulnerabilities.
  2. Ensure Reliability through Preventive Maintenance and Fuel Planning
    The regular maintenance of generation assets and distribution infrastructure must be assured to prevent unplanned outages. Backup generators should be available during scheduled maintenance periods. In parallel, generator supply and operating plans should be reviewed to confirm that fuel inventory levels are sufficient to support uninterrupted operations, particularly during peak demand or emergencies.
  3. Support Consumer Participation through Rooftop Solar and Net-Metering
    Given the timeline of the 5MW solar project in Maria (expected in November 2026), more urgent solutions are required. Residential consumers should be encouraged to voluntarily install rooftop solar systems and participate in the net-metering program, which allows them to reduce electricity bills and contribute to the local power supply. Proactive participation from households can help bridge the supply gap in the short term and build energy resilience from the ground up.
  4. Enable Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Adoption for Commercial Consumers
    Commercial establishments should also be encouraged to invest in solar rooftop systems and participate in the DER program. This not only supports their sustainability goals but also eases demand pressures on the grid and contributes to a more flexible and decentralized energy system.
  5. Clarify Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME) Use for Renewable Energy Investments
    There needs to be clear policy direction and confirmation on whether the UCME can be utilized not only for operational expenses (OPEX) but also for capital expenditures (CAPEX) like solar power plant construction. This has long been debated within the energy sector. The installation of a solar project under NPC-SPUG in Iloilo may serve as a precedent, but further clarification and guidance from regulators are necessary to institutionalize such use of funds and encourage more renewable deployments in off-grid areas.

Improving the power situation in Siquijor is not only a technical challenge—it directly impacts the province’s economy and the well-being of its people. The local communities rely heavily on tourism, small-scale fisheries, agriculture, and community enterprises. Affordable, reliable, and secure power is essential for resorts, cold storage for fisheries, water pumps for farms, and artisan cooperatives that sustain local jobs and showcase the island’s culture.

The Philippine power grid is heavily centralized with large generators located far from consumers and connected by high-voltage transmission lines. This setup makes the system vulnerable, as issues like tripping of transmission lines, typhoons, and other calamities can lead to large-scale blackouts. Instead of waiting years for large-scale grid connections with uncertain timelines, we can act now by harnessing the island’s abundant renewable resources. This will immediately benefit communities and businesses, strengthen self-sufficiency, and ensure that even the most remote areas can transition to renewables. 

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