SINGAPORE-Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the Philippines can successfully meet the challenges of rising global electricity demand while accelerating its decarbonization goals.
‘The test is clear: can we deliver energy that is clean, reliable, and affordable for our economies and our people?’ Garin said. ‘Nowhere is that test more demanding than in the Philippines. We are an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, where energy must cross water and mountains before it reaches a single home,’ Garin said.
She pointed out that geography dictates that energy security cannot rely on generation capacity alone, and the country treats energy security as grid security.
‘The Philippines is putting transmission and grid modernization at the center of its energy strategy. Through our Smart and Green Grid Plan, we are pinpointing critical constraints, strengthening long-term planning, and aligning grid development with future demand and generation investments, in support of our Philippine Energy Plan and Transmission Development Plan, so that every megawatt of renewable energy we build reaches the people and industries it is meant to serve,’ she said.
This initiative supports the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in expanding network capacity and fast-tracking the resolution of transmission bottlenecks.
She also said that the DOE is accelerating the delivery of 200 committed power and energy storage projects. To date, 55 have begun commercial operations, adding about 2,273 megawatts (MW) Among them are 12 battery energy storage projects totaling about 229MW.
‘Our systems must respond instantly to shifts in supply and demand. Energy storage makes that possible,’ Garin said.
The Philippines is also building its first pumped-storage hydropower facility. It uses electricity to pump water into storage during periods of low demand, then releases it to generate power when demand rises. ‘Our goal is a cleaner transition that never compromises reliability and security,’ Garin pointed out.
Meanwhile, the Philippines and Singapore have entered into a strategic energy partnership by exchanging Letters of Intent (LOIs) during the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) Summit 2026.
Signed by Garin and Singapore’s Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry Dr. Tan See Leng, the agreements aim to bolster long-term energy security and expand clean energy alternatives through two main pillars.
The two nations will explore regional grid connectivity to enable power trading, resolve supply constraints, and optimize complementary energy resources. This initiative supports the broader Asean Power Grid vision by accelerating the Asean Submarine Power Cable Development Framework.
They will also establish a framework to share expertise and conduct joint research in advanced nuclear technology. Cooperation will span human resource development, the nuclear fuel cycle, radioactive waste management, and safety protocols, ensuring all advancements strictly adhere to international non-proliferation standards.
‘Regional cooperation is ultimately about the Filipino family. When we connect our gids and build safe, responsible partnerships in nuclear energy, we are working toward more energy sources, and more stable power for every home, so that the lights stay on for our families, our children can study at night, and our small businesses can keep their doors open,’ Garin said.