Consumers subject to different residential rates

The Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) recently announced increases in April 2018 residential rates, which they credited to the implementation of the Korean Electric Power Corporation-Salcon Power Corporation (Kepco-SPC) adjustment, which, as previously projected, added an additional 8¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh) to consumer bills.

The additional charge is expected to be applied over the next 50 months.

A previous Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) decision allowed for Ceneco to collect P232 million in “unnominated quantities” from consumers, with Ceneco General Manager Sulpicio Lagarde, Jr. earlier claiming the co-op would face sanctions if costs were not passed on to customers.

Consumers will also subject to two different rates, depending on adjustments to their specific service area.

One set of consumers will see residential rates of P11.90/kWh following adjustments from Kepco-SPC and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM), which will add an additional 30¢/kWh over the next 60 months.

An additional Energreen/Central Negros Power Reliability, Inc. (CENPRI) adjustment will contribute 9¢/kWh.

Meanwhile, other customers will not be subject to the PSALM adjustment and will be charged P11.58/kWh.

Last year, the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod called for additional ERC hearings regarding the then-proposed P232 million collection./WDJ