Meralco rates down this month

MANILA, Philippines - Customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) can expect lower electricity bills this month.

In a statement issued yesterday, Meralco said the overall rate for residential customers would go down by 21 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

A typical household consuming 200 kWh will see a decrease of P41.30.

This month’s rate, which is lower by P1.27 per kWh compared to January 2015, is the lowest since January 2010.

Meralco said the generation charge fell by 21 centavos per kWh to P3.92 per kWh, also the lowest since January 2010.

The power company said power supply agreements recorded a 49-centavo per kWh drop due to a reduction in capacity fees of the Pagbilao, Sual, Calaca and Ilijan plants.

It will offset the higher charges from the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM).

Meralco said the average rate of the IPPs increased slightly, by P0.04 per kWh due to a lower dispatch of the Quezon Power Partners Ltd. and San Lorenzo.

On the other hand, WESM charges registered an increase of 35 centavos per kWh due to previous billing adjustments. 

As generation charge decreased, taxes also decreased by P0.02 per kWh.

Transmission charge, on the other hand, registered an increase of P0.02 per kWh due to lower load factor.