By Brian Campued
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced Tuesday that its power rates would rise in November following lower rates in the previous month.
The power distributor said the electricity rate would increase by P0.4274 per kilowatt hour, bringing the overall rate for a typical household to P11.8569 per kWH from P11.4295 kWH in October.
Power costs would increase by the following amounts to be reflected in this month’s billing:
- 200 kWh – P85
- 300 kWh – P128
- 400 kWh – P171
- 500 kWh – P214
According to Meralco, the overall rate hike is attributed to higher generation charge “largely due to the depreciation of the peso” which weakened by P2 against the dollar.
Meralco’s generation charge increased by P0.2884 per kWh following respective increases from independent power producers and power supply agreements.
“Marami sa ating cost ng generators ay dollar-denominated lalo na ’yong fuel cost dahil inaangkat ’yong fuel,” Utility Economics-Meralco Vice President and Head Lawrence Fernandez said.
“So, everytime na humihina ang piso, tumataas ang presyo in terms of local currency,” he added.
Transmission charge also increased by P0.0724 per kWh due to higher ancillary services charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) Reserve Market.
Charges from the WESM rose by P0.0150 per kWh, while taxes and other charges rose by P0.0666 per kWh.
Meanwhile, Meralco said customers in areas placed under a state of calamity with a monthly consumption of less than 200 kWh per month are spared from disconnection until December 2024, and can avail of installment payment arrangements for six months.
This is in compliance with the recent directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to provide relief to customers severely affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
“Meralco has always been considerate of its customers especially during challenging times. We join the government in efforts to help those severely affected by the storm to recover as soon as possible,” Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga said.
“Qualified customers for the staggered payment arrangement can go to Meralco Business Centers and our personnel will assist them accordingly,” Zaldarriaga added. (with report from Noel Talacay)
—iro