The Cebu Provincial Development Council Executive Committee has endorsed an 80-megawatt wind power project developed by MC Power Solutions Inc. in the municipality of Alegria, which is expected to be operational by 2028. This initiative aims to stabilize the local power grid and address the recurring rotational brownouts that have recently affected the province.
Countering Local Power Shortages
The project comes at a critical time for Cebu, which has been grappling with rotational brownouts. By injecting 80 megawatts of power directly into the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, the project will add a substantial amount of electricity to the network, helping to prevent future outages. Governor Pamela Baricuatro highlighted the urgency of the situation during an interview on Friday, June 12, 2026. She stated, "This will really help us with our energy situation. That is one basic infrastructure that hasn't been sorted out even before." The push for the wind farm aligns with a broader effort to improve Cebu's energy security, which also includes a separate oil exploration project in Alegria that could eventually convert gas into an additional 150 megawatts of power.
Economic Impacts and Community Benefits
Beyond improving power reliability, the wind farm is expected to stimulate economic development and tourism in Alegria, spanning the barangays of Guadalupe, Valencia, and Lepanto. Baricuatro compared its potential to the established wind farms in Ilocos, which have evolved into major tourist destinations. The host communities will also receive direct financial benefits, including real property taxes, local business taxes, a one percent royalty share of total gross income, and power sales shares. The power sales revenue includes a P0.3-per-kilowatt-sales share mandated under Department of Energy (DOE) Regulations 1-94, alongside community assistance provided through the Kahaligi corporate social responsibility program of the project developer, MC Power Solutions Inc. To further protect local interests, the provincial government has emphasized job creation. Baricuatro said, "So I just asked them if they can employ people in Alegria," noting that she requested the developers prioritize hiring local residents.
Coordination and Next Steps
The project's progress relies on close coordination between private developers and local leadership. Representatives from MC Power Solutions Inc. initially approached national energy agencies and the DOE before arriving at the Provincial Capitol. Upon meeting the developers, Baricuatro directed them to secure local trust first. She advised them to go to the community, talk to the mayor, and the LGU, explaining that they will be the ones hosting them. Following her advice, company officials met with local leaders in Alegria to present their development plans and corporate social responsibility initiatives, later returning to report positive feedback from the municipal consultations. Following the provincial council's endorsement on Wednesday, June 10, the project must now clear regional hurdles. The Provincial Government intends to secure backing from the Regional Development Council (RDC) before the proposal moves to the national government. Baricuatro affirmed, "Yes, yes, that's really the goal, to include it in the RDC. We want to endorse it in the RDC." Currently, the project is in its pre-development stage, with MC Power conducting land surveys, environmental studies, and community consultations. The company is installing a meteorological mast — a tower used to measure wind resources — in Barangay Guadalupe to assess conditions for the 10 planned eight-megawatt wind turbine generators. If the RDC finalizes its endorsement, detailed design and civil works are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
