By Joann Villanueva/PNA
MANILA — Power rates in the Luzon grid are expected to rise in April, which will reflect in the May electric bill, following the series of yellow alert status on supply this week alone.
The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) declares yellow alert once supply thins due to increased demand.
In a briefing Thursday, Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary and spokesperson Felix William Fuentebella said they have observed upticks in prices in the spot market as a result of the thinning of supply.
He, however, declined to give figures on how much the price upticks would be since they are still determining the details.
“That’s what we want to check later,” he said.
Fuentebella also pointed out that the increase in electricity prices at the household level depends on the how people use their appliances and gadgets, among others.
He, thus, called on consumers to use their appliances efficiently, noting that their savings will not only benefit them but the whole system in general.
Relatively, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga, during the same briefing, said price in the spot market is part of the power distribution company’s overall pricing.
He declined to give indications on how the yellow alert will impact on their prices.
“It’s still early at this point to determine the final impact on price for April but rest assured that once all the billings are in, including the sourcing we have from WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market), we’ll be able to give it to you,” he said.
