MERALCO CUTS ELECTRICITY RATES FOR JANUARY

CUSTOMERS of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) can expect a slight reduction in their electricity bills this month.

Meralco said electricity rate in January is reduced by P0.2189 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to P11.7428 kWh from P11.9617 kWh in December 2024.

Households consuming 200 kWh can expect a P44 reduction on their January 2025 bill.

In a briefing Monday, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga attributed the cheaper electricity rates this month to lower generation charges, which went down by P0.1313 per kWh to P6.8358 per kWh.

He said the easing of generation fees was mainly due to the decrease of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and independent power producers (IPPs) rates, declining by P0.8840 and P0.1593 per kWh, respectively.

Zaldarriaga added the Luzon grid has better supply amid the 471 megawatts drop in demand.

The appreciation of the Philippine peso against the US dollar also cut IPP charges, as 97 percent of IPP costs were dollar denominated. The lower fuel cost and higher dispatch of the First Gas-Sta. Rita plant also contributed to cheaper IPP charges this month.

Meralco urged the public to “better manage electricity consumption” by becoming more energy-efficient.

Suggested ways include unplugging unused appliances, cleaning air conditioners and switching to LED bulbs.

 “While electricity rates decreased this month, we would like to remind our customers to continue practicing energy efficiency as a way of life, especially with the dry season is fast approaching,” Zaldarriaga said.