Meralco customers will see an increase in their electricity bills this September, with power rates climbing by P0.15 per kilowatt-hour. This means the overall rate for a typical household will now be P11.7882/kWh, up from P11.6339/kWh in August.
The increase is attributed to a spike in transmission charges, specifically due to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines' (NGCP) ancillary service. The ancillary service charges rose after the commercial operations of the reserve market resumed on August 5.
This increase in transmission charges, which went up by P0.2913 for residential customers, more than offsets the decrease in generation charges, which went down by P0.1547/kWh.
As a result, electricity bills may jump by the following amounts:
- 200 kWh: P31
- 300 kWh: P46
- 400 kWh: P62
- 500 kWh: P77
It's worth noting that this is not the first time Meralco rates have increased this year. In July, rates rose by P2.15/kwh due to a higher generation charge, and in August, they went up by P0.03/kwh due to a higher transmission charge.
Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga explained that while generation charges have decreased, the increase in transmission charges has resulted in an overall rate increase.
