The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Friday (Sep. 10) announced the implementation of ₱0.11 per kilowatt hour (kWh) increase in the charges for September.
The price hike is equivalent to ₱21 increase for those who consume 200 kWh, ₱32 for 300 kWh consumers, ₱42 for 400 kWh consumers, and ₱53 increase for consumers who use 500 kWh.
According to Meralco Head of Utility Economics Larry Fernandez, the “main driver” of the adjustment in the bills is the “increase in the generation charge.” However, the electric utility giant said the latest September rate is still lower compared to 2018 and 2011 that has reached more than ₱10.
Moreover, the company’s Distribution Rate True-Up refund helped offset the higher rate for September.
“The continued implementation of the Distribution Rate True-Up refund which began in March 2021 mitigated higher rates. The refund rate for residential customers is at P0.2761 per kWh and appears in customers’ bills as a line item called Dist True-Up,” the company said.
Meanwhile, the 20-day maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya Gas Reserve will begin next month. It will be affecting more than 3,000 megawatts of energy supply in Luzon. With this, Meralco said it is preparing for the said shutdown and advised the public of a possible rate hike in November.
“We have given the go signal to the first-class plants that can operate on alternative fuel to continue operation on full capacity using liquid fuel. We’ll also see that this coming October, [it] will be reflected in the November generation charge.
Report from Naomi Tiburcio/NGS-rir
