Meralco's electricity rates down P0.41 per kWh in May

Customers of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) will pay a lower rate in their electric bill this month, because of a decline in generation, transmission, taxes, and other charges.

Meralco has lowered the rate for residential consumers by 41 centavos per kilowatt hour (kWh).

This means that Meralco is billing its residential consumers at the rate of P8.444 per kWh.

"This month’s overall rate is lower by P1.54 per kWh compared with May 2015’s P9.98 per kWh. It is also the lowest since January 2010, or over a period of six years," the company said.

"For a typical household consuming 200 kWh, this translates to a reduction of around P82 in their electric bill," Meralco Spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga told reportsers in a briefing.

"The decrease in the overall rates was primarily due to the generation charge, which decreased by P0.21 per kWh from last month," Meralco said.

The generation charge at P3.38 per kWh is lower by P0.93 per kWh compared to May last year's P4.81 per kWh.

Zaldarriaga also noted the generation charge in May this year is the lowest since October 2004.

Transmission charge also decreased by P0.10 per kWH. Taxes and other charges are reduced by P0.10 per kWh following reduction of generation and transmission charges.

Three natural gas plants—South Premier-Ilijan, First Gas-Sta. Rita, and First Gas-San Lorenzo—supplying 54 percent of Meralco's requirements, registered reduced charges due to lower fuel prices. – VDS/NB, GMA News