Meralco drops power rates in February; Malampaya to shutdown ops due to high electricity
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced a cut in its electricity rates for February.
A total of P2.13 will be saved for every 200 kilowatt-hour (kWh), P2.71 for every 300kWh, P3.04 for every 400kWh, and P2.39 for every 500kWh.
Meralco reduced its charges due to lower generation, transmission and system loss charges.
“Mayroon tayong natapos na refund na 19 centavos per kwh, so kung wala ito, the reduction would have been 20 centavos. Nagkataon lang na nasabay na yung pagbaba sa presyo ng kuryente eh natapos naman yung pangatlo sa apat na refund,” Meralco Spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said.
The last time Meralco raised its rates was in January this year, when it went up to P0.6232 per kWh.
Because of this, the electricity rate went from P10.2769 per kWh in December to P10.9001 per kWh.
Meanwhile, Meralco encouraged customers to be more energy efficient.
This is because the Malampaya facility is scheduled for maintenance, which usually causes electricity bills to increase.
“Marami ang reserves, and in the forecast of NGCP in the coming ah weeks, walang indication na magkakaroon ng yellow alert. There will be adequate reserves for the duration of the shutdown,” head of Utility Economics Larry Fernandez said. –With reports from Ryan Lesigues/KC-ag
