Meralco to Hike July Power Rates by 29c/kWh

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will hike power rates by 29 centavos per kilowatthour (kWh) this month.

According to a statement from the distribution utility, the higher rates was pushed by the forced outages of some power plants. The overall charge for this month amounts to PHP8.61 per kWh.

“The increase in the rates was primarily due to the generation charge, which increased by PHP0.34 per kWh from last month’s level of PHP3.72 per kWh,” it said.

The generation charge was pushed by charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), which increased by PhP 4.49 per kWh from PHP3.97 per kWh last month.

It was due to the planned outages of the following power plants: Pagbilao-2, San Lorenzo Mod 50 and 60, Sta. Rita Mod 40, and iPower. Meanwhile, those that went on forced outage include Sual-1, San Gabriel, Calaca 1 and 2, GN Power1 and 2, Limay A and B, Sta. Rita Mod 10 and 30, SLPGC 1, SLTEC 1 and 2, San Roque 2, Pagbilao 1 and Ambuklao 2.

Independent Power Producers (IPPs) also increased their rates by PhP 0.03 per kWh due to the lower output of the the Quezon Power Philippines Ltd. power plant.

Meanwhile, power costs from power supply agreements (PSAs) fell by PHP0.02 per kWh due to the higher dispatch of the Ilijan power facility.

Meralco sourced its capacity from PSAs at 49.2 percent, IPPs at 42 percent and 7.8 percent from the WESM.

Transmission charge, on the other hand, decreased by PHP0.08 per kWh due to lower ancillary charges.

Taxes also increased by PHP0.01 per kWh, while other charges increased by PHP0.02 per kWh. It reflected changes in the generation charge.

Meralco’s distribution, supply and metering charges will stay at its previous rate. (PNA) BNB/JLD