By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The country could face higher electricity prices and tighter power supply as a strengthening El Niño pushes temperatures higher and drives up electricity demand, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin warned.
Garin said the extreme heat could put additional pressure on the power system as households and businesses increase their use of cooling equipment and other electricity-dependent appliances.
She acknowledged that prolonged dry conditions could also weaken generation capacity. Lower river levels threaten hydropower output, while extreme heat can reduce the efficiency of coal-fired and solar facilities.
“I don’t want to be a doomsayer,” Garin said, while warning that the combination of rising demand and supply constraints could affect the power market.
The Department of Energy is coordinating with the Energy Regulatory Commission to monitor electricity traded in the spot market and prevent generators or suppliers from taking advantage of tight conditions.
Garin also urged consumers to conserve electricity, saying a 10% to 20% reduction in demand would help ease pressure on the grid.
The warning comes as El Niño’s effects widen nationwide. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 106 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity, affecting more than 388,000 people.
The agricultural sector is also taking a major hit, with the Department of Agriculture reporting P6.87 billion in damage affecting more than 223,000 farmers in 14 regions.
With El Niño expected to peak late this year and persist into early 2027, the heat is threatening not only livelihoods but also the cost and reliability of electricity itself.
ia/xf
