ACR, the publicly listed company of the Alcantara Group, said reliable and affordable electricity remains essential to sustaining economic growth, attracting investments, and supporting national development.
Rising demand
Citing projections from National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), ACR said in a statement that power demand in Mindanao is expected to increase by 12.34 percent compared with last year’s actual demand.
The company said the projected increase reflects Mindanao’s expanding economy and growing industrial activity, which will require sufficient and dependable power supply in the coming years.
In 2025, Mindanao’s peak electricity demand reached more than 2,600 megawatts (MW), while nationwide peak demand across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao exceeded 19,000 MW.
ACR also cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing that Mindanao posted economic growth of 4.69 percent in 2025, higher than the national average of 4.4 percent. Five of Mindanao’s six regions also ranked among the country’s 10 fastest-growing regional economies.
“As the economy grows, demand for reliable and sufficient power will continue to rise. Electricity remains essential in supporting industries, businesses, infrastructure, and communities, while also helping attract investments,” said Antonio Miguel B. Alcantara, chief executive officer of the Alsons Power Group.
Renewable shift
ACR said it continues to strengthen its operations while investing in renewable energy technologies, particularly solar and hydropower projects, to help meet growing energy requirements in Mindanao and other parts of the country.
Nicasio I. Alcantara, ACR chair, said the company has been advancing its renewable energy development program through feasibility and interconnection studies for solar and integrated energy storage projects in General Santos City, Sarangani Province, and other sites in Mindanao and the Visayas.
Among its major projects are the 75-MWac Bawing Solar Power Plant in General Santos City and the 98.7-MWac SPPC Solar facility in Sarangani.
The SPPC Solar project involves the conversion of a former diesel-fired power plant into a renewable energy facility, making it among the first conventional power plants in the country to transition into solar power, according to ACR.
Energy storage
ACR is also studying hybrid technology and battery energy storage systems for its conventional power plants in Zamboanga and Iligan.
The company said these initiatives are intended to improve operational capability, flexibility, and competitiveness in both the energy and reserve markets.
The first phase of the SPPC Solar facility, with a capacity of 45 MWac, was among the winning projects under the Green Energy Auction Program Round 4, securing offtake and supporting its long-term viability.
Growth strategy
Aside from solar, ACR is also expanding its hydropower portfolio. In 2024, the company began operations of its first hydropower project, the 14.5-MW Siguil Hydro Power Plant in Sarangani.
ACR said it will continue to expand its participation in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, ancillary services, and Retail Electricity Supply business as it positions itself for long-term growth amid rising power demand.
“While our operational and community initiatives continue to create meaningful value today, we are also positioning the company for long-term growth by accelerating the development of renewable energy projects and emerging energy technologies,” Alcantara said. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
