MANILA — Electricity rates increased by 27 centavos kilowatt (kWh) per hour this month in the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) franchise area.
The increase was expected following the 30-day maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya gas platform off Palawan which will last until April 14.
This has caused several gas-fired power plants to turn to alternative fuels in anticipation of the shutdown.
It also forced major gas-fired power plants to use more expensive liquid fuel.
The increase means that the overall electricity rate will increase at about P10.68 per kWh in April for a typical household consuming 200 kWh.
The rate is a bit higher than the P10.41 per kWh last month.
Meanwhile, average users’ rate is still lower by 81 centavos per kWh compared to the year-ago rate of P11.49 per kWh recorded April last year.