Visayas Power Forum Explains Grid Reliability, Electricity Price Outlook

Visayas Power Forum | Negros Power

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Negros Power | Visayas Power Forum Explains Grid Reliability and Electricity Price Outlook

For most consumers, electricity is something they only think about when the monthly bill arrives or when the power goes out. Yet behind every electric bill is a complex system of power generation, transmission, regulation, and market forces that directly influence how much consumers pay.

To help explain these issues, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power), together with fellow PrimElectric Holdings, Inc. distribution utilities MORE Power and Bohol Light Company, hosted the Visayas Power Forum: Grid Reliability and Electricity Price Outlook on July 13, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Bacolod.

The forum gathered regulators, government agencies, industry experts, business leaders, consumer representatives, local government officials, and members of the media to discuss the current state of the Visayas power grid, the factors affecting electricity prices, and the outlook for the region’s power supply.

Visayas Power Forum Brings Together the Energy Sector

The event served as a venue for dialogue among key institutions involved in the country’s electric power industry, including representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).

Also participating were representatives from local government units, business organizations, consumer groups, academic institutions, and the media.

By bringing together various stakeholders, the Visayas Power Forum emphasized the value of transparency, collaboration, and consumer education in addressing today’s energy challenges.

Visayas Power Forum Explains Why Electricity Prices Fluctuate

One of the forum’s primary discussions focused on the recent increase in electricity prices across the Visayas.

According to industry experts, the rise in electricity rates has been driven mainly by developments in the power generation sector. Several major power plants have experienced prolonged outages, reducing the amount of electricity available to the grid. Combined with transmission constraints and lower reserve capacity, these conditions have resulted in recurring Yellow Alert and Red Alert declarations within the Visayas Grid.

When electricity supply becomes tight, prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) increase, leading to higher generation charges that are eventually reflected in consumers’ monthly electricity bills.

Industry Experts Share Updates on the Visayas Power Grid

Opening the forum, Niel V. Parcon, Vice President for Corporate Energy Sourcing and Commercial Affairs of PrimElectric Holdings, emphasized the importance of providing consumers with timely and accurate information about developments affecting the country’s power industry.

He noted that open communication among government agencies, regulators, electric utilities, businesses, and consumers is essential in addressing current challenges while developing long-term solutions for a more secure and reliable energy future.

Among the resource speakers were Joseph Ladrido of the Institute of Contemporary Economics, who discussed the impact of market price volatility and marginal losses on electricity costs; Engr. Robinson Descanzo, President of IEMOP, who presented updates on the operational condition and outlook of the Visayas Grid; Director Luningning Baltazar of the Department of Energy, who outlined government initiatives to improve power supply reliability; and Antonette Badillo of the Energy Regulatory Commission, who explained regulatory measures designed to help cushion the effects of volatile electricity prices on consumers.

Visayas Power Forum Encourages Public Dialogue

The event concluded with an interactive open forum, allowing members of the media and other stakeholders to raise questions directly to the panel of experts.

Discussions centered on electricity pricing, power supply reliability, energy policies, and the outlook for the Visayas Grid, providing participants with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the region’s energy sector.

Understanding the Role of Distribution Utilities

One important clarification during the forum was the distinction between electricity generation and electricity distribution.

Negros Power explained that while distribution utilities are responsible for delivering electricity safely and reliably to homes and businesses, generation charges are determined by prevailing market conditions and the availability of electricity supply within the grid.

In other words, fluctuations in electricity prices are largely influenced by generation costs and market conditions rather than by the distribution utility itself.

Promoting Transparency Through Consumer Education

Through initiatives such as the Visayas Power Forum, Negros Power continues to promote greater public understanding of the electric power industry by encouraging open discussions among regulators, industry experts, policymakers, businesses, and consumers.

As electricity demand continues to grow and the country’s energy landscape evolves, informed consumers remain an important partner in building a more resilient, transparent, and sustainable power sector for the Visayas.