Meralco power rates climb in August

RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLDS in areas served by Manila Electric Co., (Meralco) will see higher electricity bills this month as the power distributor hikes rates due to higher generation and transmission charges.

- By Sheldeen Joy Talavera Reporter

The overall rate will increase by P0.6268 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P13.2703 per kWh in August from P12.6435 per kWh in July, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Households consuming 200 kWh will see an upward adjustment of around P125. Those consuming 300 kWh, 400 kWh, and 500 kWh will have to pay an additional P188, P251, and P313, respectively.

Meralco attributed the increase to the generation charge which rose by P0.3749 per kWh. Generation charge typically accounts for more than 50% of the electricity bill.

"The generation charge increased by 37 centavos per kilowatt-hour due to higher charges from independent power producers (IPPs) as well as the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM)," Meralco VicePresident and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said at a briefing.