Meralco customers to see lower January bills

Metro Manila, Philippines - Customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will charge less this month to reflect a lower generation charge, which comprises more than half of the billing statement.

The power distributor announced on Monday, Jan. 13, it would cut rates by P0.2189 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to bring the overall charge to P11.7428.

It was lower than the December rate of P11.9617 per kWh.

The net adjustment in residential bills will decrease by P44 for those with 200 kWh consumption, P66 for 300 kWh, P89 for 400 kWh, and P112 for 500 kWh.

Meralco said the generation charge, or the cost of producing electricity, went down by P0.1313 per kWh to P6.8358 per kWh amid lower prices from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WEM) and independent power producers.

“The reduction in WESM charges was brought about by the improved supply situation in the Luzon grid as average peak demand dropped by 471 MW (megawatts),” the company said. “The average capacity on outage likewise decreased by 305 MW.”

Meralco also said transmission and other charges posted a net reduction of P0.0876 per kWh.

The power distributor’s franchise area covers parts of Pampanga and Bulacan, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon.