Meralco likely to have increase on July bill

It is possible that Meralco will raise tariffs in the coming July, according to the power distributor.

This is in the face of plans to raise prices by some electric cooperatives in Luzon due to the thinning of the power grid supply in recent months.

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Meralco explained that this was due to the increase in the spot market price and the increase in electricity consumption in the heat of the weather in June.

“Very strong possibility. But as I’ve said, I would rather wait for the final billings from the suppliers so we could come up with an official and actual [amount],” said Meralco Spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga.

More than 20 electric cooperatives have already implemented P1 to P3 kilowatts per hour surcharge in June.

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But based on spot market data, the average electricity price was lower in June compared to May. However, there were a few days during the height of the yellow and red alerts that kicked off the price of electricity in the spot market.

The average price of electricity was P6.53 kWh in June, down from P7.66 kWh in May 2021.

More than 200 hours or hourly intervals in June hit the spot market price of more than P10 per kilowatt-hour.

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Meralco likely to have increase on July bill

That is why the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) plans to issue an order to distribution utilities and cooperatives to protect consumers whose bills suddenly swell.

“I-adopt muna ‘yung hindi magpuputol [ng kuryente]. Pero on a case-to-case basis kailangan. Hindi puwedeng lahat. Kung ano ‘yung problema, then we recommend a solution,” said ERC Commissioner Agnes Devanadera.

Meanwhile, Malacañang issued an executive order for the establishment of an energy virtual one-stop shop task group.

Under Executive Order 143, it is said to be for the implementation of Republic Act No. 11234 or the “Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act,” which seeks to establish an online platform spearheaded by the Department of Energy.

The one-stop shop is for more streamlined submission and processing of data and information for applications of various energy projects.

This task group will be led by the Office of the President as chairperson, while the vice-chairperson is the secretary of the Department of Energy.

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