956 MW added to power grid as DOE ramps up projects

MANILA — The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that 956 megawatts (MW) of new power generation capacity have been added to the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids as of November 27, 2025, fulfilling part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to construct 200 power plants within three years.

The capacity expansion also includes 160 MW of new energy storage systems (ESS) located in Luzon and Visayas, designed to stabilize the grid and optimize the use of renewable energy.

This combined 1,116 MW of new infrastructure is part of the government’s strategy to ensure a secure, stable, and sufficient power supply in line with the country’s growing economic demands.

According to the DOE, the newly added 956 MW comes from 14 power plants—12 using renewable energy (RE) technologies, one oil-based facility, and one natural gas-fired plant. Most of these started commissioning in the second half of 2025.

These projects improve the grid’s ability to handle peak demand, minimize the risk of power shortages, and provide better flexibility to balance baseload and variable generation.

The 160 MW of ESS capacity supports grid resiliency by storing surplus energy during off-peak hours and discharging it during peak demand or dips in renewable output. This reduces reliance on costly peaking plants and boosts the integration of variable renewables such as solar and wind into the energy mix.

“Every megawatt we add to the grid is not just a number on paper; it is electricity for homes, power for businesses, and confidence for investors,” said Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin.

“By combining renewable energy projects with flexible conventional plants and modern energy storage, we are building an energy system that is cleaner, more reliable, and more resilient,” Garin added. “This is how we honor the President’s directive: by turning commitments into completed projects that keep the lights on, bring down the risk of outages, and ensure that our people and our industries have the energy they need to move forward.”

The DOE emphasized that these recently commissioned facilities are part of the initial gains under the 200 power plant directive announced during the President’s 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The Department also reiterated its commitment to continue working with private developers, regulators, and local stakeholders to accelerate project execution, improve permitting processes, and maintain alignment with energy security, affordability, and the country’s transition to a cleaner energy future.