Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26) — Higher power rates could await consumers next month amid the increasing energy consumption driven by rising temperatures as the country braces for the onset of El Niño.
Data from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) showed that year-to-date, all regions breached their past year’s peak demand level.
Luzon – 12,221 MW vs. last year’s 12,103 MW
Visayas – 2,380 MW vs. 2,297 MW
Mindanao – 2,363 MW vs. 2,167 MW
“Of course, the higher demand tends to increase ‘yung [the] supply requirement which correspondingly can lead to possible increases in electricity rates,” said Isidro E. Cacho, Jr., head of Corporate Strategy and Communications of IEMOP.
The IEMOP is expecting that the uptrend will continue next month mainly driven by the possible onset of the El Niño dry spell, which could affect electricity supply from hydropower plants.
“This year we expect the impact of El Nino din, especially I think in the latter part of May, June or July,” Cacho said.
But while electricity consumption continues to increase due to rising temperatures, the IEMOP official assured the public of an ample supply of power across all grids.
“We foresee a sufficient level ng supply natin [in our supply]. We don’t expect much impact in terms of supply,” he said.
IEMOP said electricity prices are expected to stabilize starting the second half of the year or by June with the onset of the rainy season.
“‘Yung prices hopefully will taper down as we go to June, July of this period,” Cacho said.
