Meralco bills less in May on lower generation, transmission costs

Meralco announced an decrease of 75 centavos per kilowatt-hour, which will reflect in its customers bill for May.—INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — After three consecutive months of hikes, more than eight million customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will see cheaper electricity bills this May. The power distributor cut the rates by 75 centavos per kilowatt hour (kWh). 

In a briefing on Tuesday, the power firm of tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan said the overall rate for a typical household was P12.2628 per kWh. The rate came down from P13.0127 per kWh in April. 

This means that residential customers consuming 200 kWh will see in their Meralco bill a relief of about P150 this month. 

“The rate reduction is due to lower generation and transmission charges,” Meralco vice president Joe Zaldarriaga said. 

The generation charge declined by P0.3144 per kWh to P7.4651 per kWh. This is thanks to lower charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and independent power producers (IPPs).

READ: Meralco, San Miguel expand power supply deal by 290 MW

Charges from the spot market dropped by P1.1424 per kWh as the supply situation in the Luzon grid improved. The spot market is a platform where off-contract electricity is traded to bolster supply.

IPP charges likewise fell by P0.9555 per kWh on higher dispatch. The strengthening of the local currency also slashed costs for about 97 percent of its dollar-denominated deals. 

Charges from power supply agreements (PSAs), meanwhile, rose by P0.1884 per kWh. 

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The WESM, IPPs and PSAs accounted for 26 percent, 33 percent and 41 percent, respectively, of Meralco’s total energy requirement for the period. 

Transmission charges also posted a decrease of P0.2970 per kWh. Meralco’s distribution charge, meanwhile, remained unchanged at 36 centavos per kWh since August 2022. 

‘Generally stable’ power service during 2025 elections 

Meanwhile, the company said it did not record major power interruptions in more than 3,000 polling and canvassing centers where millions of Filipinos cast their votes on Monday. 

“This was made possible by our early preparations that started November last year, conducting inspection and maintenance of power facilities, ensuring stable power to critical election sites,” said Froilan Savet, Meralco first vice president and head of networks of Meralco. 

Zaldarriaga said the group would stay “on full alert” until the official proclamation of winners. 

The power company’s franchise area covers Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and select areas in Pampanga, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon. INQ