ICSC launches PRESYO-PH to track power rates

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities has launched PRESYO-PH, a new data platform that tracks electricity prices and supply sources across the Philippines, as it renewed calls for distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to diversify energy sources to help stabilize power rates.

ICSC said power procurement strategies of distribution utilities and electric cooperatives, particularly the energy sources they rely on, are a key driver of varying and volatile electricity prices in the country.

PRESYO-PH, or the Power Rates and Energy Supply Overview for the Philippines, is a first-of-its-kind platform designed to improve transparency on the drivers of electricity prices.

The platform also aims to help the public understand where electricity comes from, how power costs are structured, and how prices change over time.

ICSC said PRESYO-PH integrates pricing data from more than 150 distribution utilities and electric cooperatives nationwide, along with information on their respective energy sources.

ICSC Chief Data Scientist Jephraim Manansala and Data Analyst Miguel Joachim Balburias introduced the platform through a live demonstration of its key features.

“Generation rates and how important they are are not understood by most people,” Balburias said.

“That’s why it’s important to release tools like PRESYO-PH, to bridge that gap, especially for the common Filipinos,” he added.

The launch comes as volatile electricity prices continue to weigh on Filipino households and businesses.

Consumers and enterprises are directly affected by changes in power rates, but the factors behind those movements are often not widely understood.

“Electricity prices are one of the most immediate and tangible ways that Filipinos experience the energy sector,” said Romil Hernandez, ICSC director for energy policy.

“Behind these prices is a complex system shaped by power procurement decisions, global fuel markets, regulatory processes, and increasingly, the country’s evolving energy mix,” he added.

Global fuel supply disruptions brought by the U.S.-Israel war on Iran have pushed up coal and liquefied natural gas prices in the world market, according to the release.

During a panel discussion at the launch, Energy Regulatory Commission Chairperson and CEO Francis Saturnino Juan cited the suspension of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market as a measure to prevent major price spikes.

The ERC ordered the temporary suspension of WESM operations beginning March 26, 2026, after the Department of Energy recommended the move amid global fuel supply disruptions and rising oil prices.

Juan also said the ERC requires distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to submit detailed reports on increases in generation costs to ensure proper and timely regulation.

By consolidating and visualizing power rate information nationwide, PRESYO-PH allows consumers to examine why electricity prices vary and how they evolve over time.

The platform also breaks down generation rates and the supply mix contributing to electricity rates, giving the public a clearer view of the country’s energy supply portfolio.

Marissa Cerezo, Department of Energy Renewable Energy Management Bureau director IV, emphasized the need for the Philippines to develop a balanced mix of energy sources to meet demand.

“We are still an importer when it comes to energy; hindi pa rin tayo fully independent. Mayroon pa ring imports. But what is the best mix for us to get the best price– that’s the question,” Cerezo said.

Sam Reynolds, research lead at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, said the country’s dependence on an inflexible and centralized power system makes it vulnerable to global market prices.

“On paper, the Philippines has nearly 28,000 megawatts (MW) of dependable power, and a peak demand (in 2025) of about 19,000MW. In theory, there should be plenty of power,” Reynolds said.

“The issue is a lack of flexibility,” he stressed.

Manansala said distribution utilities and electric cooperatives should prioritize the diversification of generation sources to improve the stability and affordability of electricity rates.

“Diversification provides a balanced approach to manage the risks attributed to generation sources,” Manansala said.

Manansala noted that renewable energy sources are largely stable compared with imported fuel sources and can provide affordable and stable prices, despite having limited available capacity.

The Philippines has set renewable energy targets of 35% of the power mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040 as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and improve energy security.

ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz said PRESYO-PH seeks to empower stakeholders with practical and relevant knowledge by showing where electricity comes from, whether coal, natural gas, or renewable energy.

“PRESYO-PH strengthens transparency in the power sector and provides a valuable tool for policymakers, researchers, and consumers alike to better understand the relationship between energy supply and electricity pricing. We hope that available evidence will be better utilized to make well-informed decisions that will shape the country’s power system, and ensure a more transparent, sustainable, and equitable energy future for the Philippines,” he added.