Razon’s Negros Power pours P1.3B into grid upgrades

Tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s Negros Electric and Power Corp., the power distributor in central Negros Occidental, is allocating P1.3 billion to upgrade its infrastructure to accelerate its grid modernization push.

In a news release on Wednesday, Negros Power said the funds are meant to improve its power system and upgrade its substations, power lines, transformers and poles. 

“These upgrades have since improved their service, slashing the average number of power interruptions to just 1.41 per month in 2025, or a 59% drop from the previous year,” it said.

“Power outages are also much shorter, down to a monthly average of 129 minutes in 2025 from an average of 993 minutes per month in 2024,” it added.

Alongside grid upgrades, the company said it is expanding electricity access to rural communities through its Sitio Electrification Program (SEP). 

By the end of 2025, Negros Power said it has energized 41 sitios, bringing electricity to 2,061 households.

The company is aiming to reach 10,241 households in 318 more sitios over the next few years. 

To make the process easier for residents in far-flung areas, the Razon-led power distributor said it introduced on-site applications and on-site payments.

“Beyond electrification, Negros Power is ramping up major infrastructure improvements in urban areas, including the rollout of underground distribution systems (UDS) or shifting from overhead lines to underground cables,” it said.

“Energization of key streets in Iloilo City and other key cities already began in January 2026 and is expected to improve grid resilience and enhance the aesthetic appearance of urban centers,” it added.

To support growing electricity demand, Negros Power said it is also deploying a 37.5-megavolt-ampere (MVA) mobile substation scheduled for installation within the year. 

The P192 million facility will help ensure continuous electricity supply while permanent substations undergo upgrades and will provide additional capacity as power demand increases. — JMA, GMA News