PH set to launch smart and green grid plan

The Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is preparing to launch the Smart and Green Grid Plan (SGGP) by October 2025.

Energy Undersecretary Mylene C. Capongcol announced the development during the Energy Smart Forum 2025 held in Makati on August 28.

The SGGP is a comprehensive roadmap aimed at modernizing the Philippines’ transmission system while enabling the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources.

Initially launched in September 2023 with a projected completion by September 2025, the plan is now scheduled for delivery the following month to ensure full implementation.

It plays a critical role in the country’s clean energy transition, aligned with the DOE’s goal of increasing the renewable energy share to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

The roadmap also supports long-term targets to integrate up to 50 gigawatts of offshore wind and 4.8 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2050.

To achieve this, the plan explores new transmission models, including third-party grid concessions to accelerate expansion and innovation.

“Our grid must not only be expanded, but it must be strengthened,” said Capongcol, emphasizing that grid development is part of the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“This plan, which is targeted for completion in October 2025, will serve as the national roadmap for a modern, digital, and climate resilient transmission system,” she said.

“Through SGGP, we are laying down strategies to deploy smart grid technologies, advanced digital solutions, and distributed energy systems, ensuring that our power supply is not only able to meet today’s needs but also future-proof for the challenges of tomorrow,” Capongcol added.

Philippine peak demand reached 19.3 gigawatts in 2024 and is expected to more than double by 2040, intensifying the need for a modernized grid.

Without intervention, the country faces growing risks of blackouts, transmission bottlenecks, and curtailment of renewable energy capacity.

The SGGP will incorporate advanced digital monitoring tools, automated fault detection, and distributed energy resources to address these challenges.

These technologies will help manage variable solar and wind energy, while delivering real-time data to anticipate and prevent outages.