Visayas Poised for Economic Takeoff With Power Modernization–Schneider Electric

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – With the Visayas region rising as a major economic hub, local businesses are seeking ways to scale sustainably and operate more efficiently amid increasing energy demands. In response, Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, is helping businesses adopt smarter, more sustainable technologies through a dual approach that addresses both supply, by upgrading infrastructure, and demand, by enabling more efficient, digital energy use.

Last year—during the peak of the dry season in March and April—electricity prices in the Visayas surged to PHP 6.40/kWh from PHP 4.39/kWh as planned and forced outages coincided with heightened seasonal demand, prompting yellow alerts. During this period, demand in the region rose by 5.9% as extreme heat drove increased consumption, while supply tightened due to plant outages.

This 2026, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) warns that the Visayas will continue to face power constraints, remaining the most vulnerable grid due to its heavy reliance on electricity imports from Luzon and Mindanao. This dependence exposes the region to risks from forced outages and limited reserve capacity, underscoring the urgent need for modernization and smarter energy management solutions that can strengthen grid resilience and support the region’s economic growth.

“We need to make the energy system work smarter from end-to-end. This means intelligent operations and building more capacity for power generation and distribution, and at the same time looking at how energy is managed, delivered, and used across the board,” says Ireen Catane, Country President of Schneider Electric Philippines. “That's how we can support the Visayas so it can continue to grow, without compromising reliability or affordability.”

To aid this modernization, Schneider Electric deploys cutting-edge technologies that address both generation and consumption challenges. On the supply side, Schneider Electric is working with power generation and distribution partners to modernize facilities using its EcoStruxure™ platform—an integrated suite of hardware and software that enhances operational efficiency, data integrity, cybersecurity, and safety. This enables real-time monitoring, reduces downtime, and supports faster, data-driven decisions, making generation systems more reliable, resilient, and future-ready.

On the demand side, Schneider Electric helps businesses manage energy more effectively through digital tools like Energy and Power Management Systems (EPMS), which give operators visibility and control over energy consumption across facilities. These solutions allow automation of systems such as lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), which helps to identify inefficiencies and reduce waste. For industrial users, technologies like variable frequency drives (VFDs) and soft starters improve the performance of heavy machinery while lowering electricity use and operational costs.

By adopting Schneider Electric’s end-to-end approach to energy management, local businesses can reduce energy costs, meet sustainability targets, and increase operational efficiency—making them more competitive while contributing to a more stable energy landscape in the region.

As investments and developments pour into the Visayas region and other parts of the country, Schneider Electric calls for stronger collaboration among energy producers, local governments, and communities to build a smarter energy system that enables today’s growth while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. “Our focus is to help more industries build reliable energy systems that drive long-term progress and national development,” Catane adds.

Building on its long-standing commitment to innovation, Schneider Electric, named anew as the World’s Most Innovative Company by Time and Statista as well as Corporate Knights in 2025, continues to lead efforts in driving a smarter, cleaner energy future for communities and businesses.