Central Negros Electric Cooperative, together with other electric cooperatives and local government units (LGU) in Negros and Panay, sought the intervention of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to review the high charges brought about by the damaged Cebu-Negros submarine cable of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Amlan, Negros Oriental since June 15.
ERC responded by ordering Philippine Electricity Spot Market Corporation (PEMC) to refund the congestion charges and other applicable charges previously collected from consumers in Negros and Panay from the time the damage occurred, a press release signed by acting CENECO general manager Danny Pondevilla, said
CENECO was furnished by ERC its order to PEMC dated 20 September 2021 directing PEMC to stop the collection from customers of the congestion charges, and other applicable charges until the complete restoration and operationalization of the said submarine transmission line or until a more applicable pricing and settlement solution is ordered by the Commission.
IMPLEMENTATION OF REFUND
While CENECO was furnished with a copy of the ERC’s directive to PEMC, the cooperative cannot automatically implement the refund to its consumers since PEMC has yet to determine the amount for approval of the ERC. Once approved, the refund will be retroactive and reflected in CENECO’s forthcoming bills.
DECREASE IN OCTOBER RATE
The average residential rate for October is P10.1788/kWh, a decrease of P2.0814/kWh, from last month’s rate of P12.2602/kWh. The decrease can be attributed to the reduction in generation charges due to the decrease in WESM price for this billing month only.
The refund due to the damaged submarine cable of NGCP is not yet included, but will be promptly reflected in the forthcoming bills as soon as PEMC issues power bill adjustments in accordance with the ERC directive.*
