Philippines ramps up solar rooftops and nuclear plans amid soaring electricity costs

The Philippines is confronting the highest average electricity rates in Southeast Asia, reaching PHP 12.43 per kilowatt‑hour in June 2026. High prices have driven a rapid expansion of rooftop solar, with installations nearly doubling since early 2025 and the country becoming the world’s second‑largest buyer of Chinese solar panels. Private households and large retailers such as SM Group and Robinsons are installing hundreds of thousands of panels, helping to offset frequent power cuts and high bills. The government aims to raise renewable energy to 35% of the power mix by 2030, but the push for solar is now seen as a financial lifeline as much as an environmental measure.

At the same time, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed a commitment to add nuclear power to the grid, citing the need for a stable, low‑carbon supply. The House is advancing the PhilAtom Bill (House Bill No. 8567) to create incentives and a regulatory framework for nuclear projects. Advocacy group Alpas Pinas and lawmakers such as Congressman Mark Cojuangco stress that the legislation must translate into concrete steps, training, and public education to reduce the country’s reliance on coal and natural gas.