By Paulo Loreto Lim

The Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) announced January 2018 residential rates increased by around 8¢, from a December 2017 rate of P10.0318 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P10.8746/kWh.

The utility co-op attributed the hike to increases in purchase costs, along with higher generation, transmission, and system loss charges.

Earlier this month, Ceneco General Manager Sulpicio Lagarde affirmed, due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, increases to power rates are “imminent.”

He forecasted a 7¢/kWh increase due to excise taxes on coal, along with expected generation charge increases in April.

In addition, an 8¢/kWh charge, originating from an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) decision permitting Ceneco and Kepco-SPC to collect P232 million from consumer-members, which was temporarily put on hold last year by Ceneco President Roy Cordova, may also be implemented./PLL, WDJ

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