Electricity rates go down in January

Starting the new year on a positive note, Meralco announced a decrease in electricity rates this January 2017 by P0.2703 per kilowatthour (kWh).

This brings down a typical household’s overall rate to P8.09 per kWh, the lowest since October 2009. With this, they can expect a reduction of around P54 in their total electricity bill.

Rates went down mainly due to the decrease in the generation charge, which is P0.2351 per kWh lower than last month’s P3.9351 per kWh. At P3.70 per kWh, the generation charge is P0.22 per kWh lower compared to January 2016’s P3.92 per kWh. This is also the lowest generation charge since October 2004.

There was a slight increase this January in the transmission charge of residential customers by P0.0042 per kWh. But taxes and other charges decreased by a combined amount of around P0.0394 per kWh.

Meralco’s distribution, supply, and metering charges, meanwhile, have remained unchanged for 18 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 National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Kuryente Load Coverage Expands Anew

To help its customers to monitor and control their consumption, Meralco offers Kuryente Load, its prepaid electricity service.

Kuryente Load now covers Mandaluyong, Manila, Pasig and parts of San Juan, Caloocan, Novaliches, Paranaque, Rizal, Gen. Trias Cavite, Tagaytay and San Jose del Monte Bulacan and will be available soon in Makati. Through its prepaid electricity service, Meralco customers can save an average of 20 percent (on kWh consumption). For more information, customers may call the Kuryente Load hotline at 1622-7737 or visit their nearest Meralco Business Center. ADVT