A lifeline of electricity is poised to reach Oriental Mindoro, a region currently reliant on costly and unstable diesel power. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines is proposing a massive undertaking: a ₱23.9-billion submarine cable stretching across the Verde Island Passage.
This isn’t just about adding another cable to the grid; it’s about fundamentally changing the energy landscape for Mindoro Island. The planned 28.5-kilometer cable, buried two meters beneath the waves, will connect Batangas to Calapan City, unlocking access to the main Luzon Grid.
The project envisions seven cables in total – six operational lines and one crucial spare – ensuring a robust and reliable power supply. Completion is targeted for January 2028, a date that represents a turning point for a province long underserved by consistent energy.
Recognizing its national importance, the Department of Energy has already certified the project, accelerating its path toward realization. This submarine cable forms the core of a larger ₱90.6-billion initiative, the Batangas-Mindoro 500-kV Interconnection and Backbone Project.
Currently, Mindoro exists as an energy island, isolated from the stability and potential of the national grid. This isolation translates to higher electricity costs for residents and businesses, and a vulnerability to disruptions in diesel fuel supply.
The anticipated benefits are profound. Beyond simply lowering costs, the project promises to foster the development of renewable energy sources both on and around Mindoro Island. A stable grid connection will unlock opportunities for sustainable power generation.
The project’s environmental impact is now under scrutiny. A public scoping exercise is scheduled for March 25th, offering stakeholders a vital opportunity to voice their concerns and contribute to the assessment process.
NGCP, operating under a 50-year franchise, possesses the authority to build and maintain this critical infrastructure, even utilizing eminent domain if necessary. This project isn’t merely an upgrade; it’s a foundational investment in Mindoro’s future.
The entire Batangas-Mindoro Interconnection Project is slated for completion by the end of 2030. Until then, the focus remains on the submarine cable, a submerged artery poised to deliver a brighter, more sustainable energy future to the people of Oriental Mindoro.
