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The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) reported a 15 percent decline in Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) prices ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
In a joint briefing with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Task Force Election (ETFE), IEMOP revealed that the system average for spot market prices in April dropped from ₱5.34 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to ₱4.52/kWh.
IEMOP explained that fewer planned outages due to the election season and summer heat drove down prices and increased the power supply across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The average supply and demand also surged, with demand growing to 14,739 megawatts (MW) and supply increasing to 21,345 MW.
Luzon experienced the second-highest drop in WESM prices among the three regions, falling from ₱5.50/kWh to ₱4.59/kWh. Demand in Luzon also grew from 9,713 MW to 10,613 MW, while electricity supply saw a 10 percent increase to 15,000 MW.
Visayas had the largest price drop during the month compared to Luzon and Mindanao, with a 17.6 percent decrease in its WESM price, settling at ₱4.52/kWh. Its demand grew to 2,009 MW, and supply reached 2,563 MW.
In Mindanao, spot market prices decreased by six percent to ₱4.11/kWh, accompanied by a growth in demand to 2,118 MW and a slight increase in supply to 3,782 MW.
Election Preparation
Elections remain a significant consideration in the country’s energy landscape, and the DOE is actively moving forward with its plans to mitigate power fluctuations on voting day.
The DOE ordered the Energy Task Force Election (ETFE) to clear obstructions from power infrastructure, including illegally posted campaign materials and other installations that may pose risks to power and safety.
Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla emphasized that this activity would secure reliable power during the voting season.
“We are resolute in our mandate to safeguard energy infrastructure and are working closely with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and our energy stakeholders to ensure that the power sector infrastructure remains clear of any obstructions, especially those that endanger lives and disrupt essential services,” he said.
Campaign materials, particularly posters hung near or within power lines, are considered a hazard as they could cause accidents such as electrocution and fires.
