After two months of power reductions, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said rates in February were hiked due to higher transmission charges.
Meralco’s president and head of corporate communications, Joe Zaldariaga, said the increase in P0.2226 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P13.1734 per kWh, compared to January’s rate of P12.9508 per kWh.
Households consuming a typical consumption of 200 kWh translates to an increase of P45.
The main driver of the increase was a higher transmission charge, which went up by P0.1975 per kWh due to higher ancillary services from the Reserve Market.
Another contributing factor to the increase was the adjustment of P0.0779 per kWh in Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME), following the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of P0.2763 from P0.1993/kWh.
Zaldariaga also said the generation charge decreased by P 0.1073/kWh, which slightly tempered this month’s increase due to lower cost in the quarterly repricing of Malampaya natural gas and lower costs from Independent Power Producer (IPPs).
Lifeline subsidy for low-income consumers
Meanwhile, in the same advisory, Zaldariaga said that ERC recently mandated a new uniform national lifeline consumption threshold for low-income electricity consumers, including members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
It said that consumers who consume 50/kWh or less will be given a 100% discount on their electricity bill. Meralco also said it will continue to implement a 35% discount to consumers consuming 51 to 70 kWh, and consumers consuming 71 to 100/kWh will get a 20% discount.
“We welcome this directive from the ERC, which we hope will provide additional relief to our qualified customers,” Zaldariaga said.
Under the ERC directive, the uniform national lifeline subsidy rate is at P 0.01/kWh, which will take effect in the March billing, while the discount structure will be effective the next month.
Practice energy efficiency
As the summer season approaches, Zaldariaga reminded consumers to continue practising energy efficiency for better electricity consumption.
“We reiterate our call for customers to practice energy efficiency as we approach the dry season,” Zaldarriaga added. –ARL
