Power Rates stable in August

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, 7TH August 2018 – The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) announced today that overall electricity rates remained stable at P10.2190 per kWh this month, with a slight increase of P0.0265 per kWh from last month’s P10.1925 per kWh. For a typical household consuming 200kWh, this will mean an adjustment of around P5 in their total bill.

Higher PSA charges bring up the generation charge

From PhP5.2651 per kWh in July, the generation charge for this month inched up to PhP5.3491 per kWh.

The increase is the result of PhP0.6554 per kWh rise in the cost of power from Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) due to lower average plant dispatch and higher fuel prices. The share of PSA purchases to Meralco’s total requirement this month was 43%.

Meanwhile, charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) decreased by PhP1.1021 per kWh with the absence of Yellow Alerts in the Luzon grid this month. Despite higher Malampaya natural gas prices as a result of the quarterly repricing to reflect recent movement of crude oil prices in the world market, the cost of power from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) decreased by PhP0.1690 per kWh due to an improvement in average plant dispatch.

Power plants using Malampaya natural gas provided 58% of Meralco’s supply.

The shares of WESM and IPPs purchases to Meralco’s total requirement this month were 12% and 45%, respectively.

Lower ancillary service charges lower the transmission charge

Transmission charge of residential customers decreased by P0.0803 per kWh due to lower NGCP Ancillary Service charges. Meanwhile, taxes and other charges went up by PhP0.0228 per kWh this month.

Meralco’s distribution, supply, and metering charges, meanwhile, have remained unchanged for 37 months, after these registered reductions in July 2015. Meralco reiterated that it does not earn from the pass-through charges, such as the generation and transmission charges. Payment for the generation charge goes to the power suppliers, while payment for the transmission charge goes to the NGCP.  Taxes and other public policy charges like the FIT-All rate are remitted to the government.   

Meralco provides energy efficiency tips for customers

Meralco once again encourages its customers to still continue practicing energy efficiency initiatives to help manage their electricity consumption. These include everyday household tips that may help save energy, such as: (i) unplugging appliances when not in use to avoid “phantom load”, (ii) using the aircon at mid-setting or at 25 degrees Celsius for maximum efficiency, (iii) using a power board or strip which can supply power to several appliances at once and allows a user to conveniently turn them off simultaneously with just one switch, and (iv) maximizing natural light during daytime and keeping appliances well maintained to ensure optimal performance. For more helpful tips, customers may visit Meralco’s website at www.meralco.com.ph or its social media accounts, twitter @meralco and facebook at www.facebook.com/meralco.