Razon bets P2.1 billion to upgrade Negros power network

Enrique Razon Jr., tycoon of Negros Electric and Power Corp., is set to invest approximately P2.1 billion in upgrading the power network in Negros Occidental. The investment stems from the joint venture between Razon-owned Primelectric Holdings and Central Negros Electric Cooperative, known as Negros Power. Negros Power took over the distribution network in Bacolod City and five localities within the province in August 2024.

Since then, Negros Power has earmarked over P1.2 billion for major infrastructure upgrades throughout its franchise area, with additional investments on the horizon. The company aims to replace aging lines, upgrade substations, install modern meters, and undertake projects to enhance power reliability and reduce system losses. One of the flagship projects is a P79-million underground distribution system in Bacolod, which involves transitioning overhead power lines underground along a main thoroughfare.

Additionally, Negros Power has set aside around P250 million for sitio energization projects, which will serve 232 underserved rural communities. The modernization program in Negros Occidental is already yielding early results, with Negros Power president and CEO Roel Castro committing to complete the rehabilitation and modernization of electricity networks by 2029. "We owe it to our consumers to deliver reliable, accessible, and affordable electricity for years to come," Castro stated.

Currently, Negros Power serves more than 220,000 active accounts in Bacolod, Bago, Talisay, Silay, Murcia, and Don Salvador Benedicto. Around a third of its power supply is sourced from indigenous geothermal resources, reinforcing Negros' status as a significant renewable energy hub.