Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has delayed the timeline for the planned mobile oil refinery in Alegria, Cebu, as she needs to verify the project’s current status. The delay comes amid growing energy demands in the Visayas region, where the Department of Energy is seeking new power plants to address a persistent electricity shortage.
The DOE has announced plans to develop baseload power plants in Cebu, with major projects expected to begin operations in 2028. These new facilities aim to provide more reliable electricity generation to meet rising demand. Garin emphasized the need for dependable power sources, citing recurring power plant outages and increasing consumption in the region.
The mobile oil refinery in Alegria was previously seen as a potential solution to local energy needs, but its progress has stalled. Garin’s decision to pause the timeline reflects ongoing assessments of the project’s feasibility and regulatory compliance. Meanwhile, the DOE’s focus on new power plants highlights the government’s broader strategy to stabilize energy supply in the Visayas.
The energy crisis in the region has intensified in recent months, with frequent blackouts affecting both residential and commercial sectors. The delay in the refinery project adds to concerns about meeting future energy demands, especially as the planned power plants are not expected to come online until 2028.
With the Visayas facing a growing electricity deficit, the government’s energy strategy remains under scrutiny. The mobile refinery’s uncertain future underscores the challenges of balancing infrastructure development with regulatory oversight in a rapidly expanding region.
