La Union electric co-op hikes rate by P1

SAN FERNANDO, La Union, Philippines – The La Union Electric Cooperative (Luelco) will increase by one peso its electricity rate effective this May after it temporarily shifted to a power supplier which charges a higher price.

Reports said Luelco is now getting its power supply from GN Power, a coal-operated power plant, because some hydropower plants have been operating abnormally due to the dry season.

From P9 per kilowatt-hour in April, the May billing will now be P10 per kwh, according to a report from ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol Northern Luzon on Thursday.

A Luelco representative said the electric cooperative was forced to buy its power supply from coal and diesel-operated power plants because some power plants cannot operate during summer due to the drought.