Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 9) — The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced on Tuesday that electricity rates will decrease by ₱0.29 per kWh for the month of May due to the decline in the generation charge caused by dips in power costs.
This brings the previous overall rate of ₱9.89 down to ₱9.60 per kWh, translating to ₱58 in savings for a residential household consuming 200 kWh.
“Contributing sa downward [movement] ng adjustment ay ‘yung cost ng power from the IPPs (Independent Power Producers) and the PSAs (Power Supply Agreements) ay bumaba,” said Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga.
[Translation: Contributing to the downward movement of the adjustment is the decline in power cost from the Independent Power Producers and the Power Supply Agreements.]
Meralco said in a statement that the decline in power costs sourced from IPPs and PSAs reflected higher plant dispatch and the recent strengthening of the peso against the dollar.
It added, while “there was a slight increase of ₱0.02 per kWh in the transmission charge of residential customers…taxes and other charges went down by a combined amount of around ₱0.10 per kWh.”
The electrical power distributor also provided tips on how customers could consume energy more efficiently, as the end of summer approaches.
“Simple tips such as unplugging appliances when not in use to avoid “phantom load,” using the aircon at mid-setting or at 25 degrees Celsius for maximum efficiency, 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 using just one switch, maximizing natural light during daytime, and keeping appliances well-maintained to ensure optimal performance,” Meralco said.
CNN Philippines’ Correspondent Yumi Lugod contributed to this report.
