BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
Power rates of Central Negros Electric Cooperative increased by 95 centavos per kilowatt hour this month, while that of Northern Negros Electric and Negros Occidental Electric Cooperatives reduced by P1.6 and 39 centavos, respectively.
Ceneco acting general manager Danny Pondevilla said the increase in electricity rates can be attributed to the increase generation, transmission, systems loss and other passed-on charges such as Lifeline and Senior Citizens discount.
He said other reasons for the increase is the hike in GRAM Incremental Currency Exchange Rate Adjustment and the value added tax which shoots up to 85 centavos this month for 83 centavos in June
Ceneco’s generation, transmission and systems loss charges went up to P7.7 per kilowatt hour in July from P6.76 in June while the pass-through charges is now at P9.3 per kilowatt hour from P8.3 last month.
Only P1.1 of the power rate goes to Ceneco through distribution, supply, metering charges and reinvestment fund for sustainable Capital Expenditure for its administrative and operational services which has not increased since 2010.
Pondevilla, who is also the general manager of Noneco, said their power rate is currently at P11.51 per kilowatt hour from P13.14 last month due to the low cost of electricity purchase from the Wholesale Electricity Stock Market.
LOWER POWER RATES
He said the decrease in the ancillary service charge of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines also played a vital part in lowering power rates this month.
Meanwhile, after an increase of almost P2 per kilowatt hour in June, Noceco announced that their electric rate is at P7.2469 per kWh from P7.6456 in June.
The lower generation charge is due to the price reduction of WESM to P8.36 this month from P9.13 last month or a decrease of 77 centavos per kWh, Noceco general manager Jonas Discaya, said, adding that it could also be attributed to the decreases in system loss rate, VAT on generation charges and on transmission of residential customers and subsidy rates.
Noceco’s distribution, supply and metering charges remain unchanged despite the decrease in the overall electricity rate for this month.*