The Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) announced July 2018 residential rates increased by nearly 23¢ from last month, rising from P11.7019 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P11.9309/kWh.

The utility co-op credited the increase to hikes in generation charges; along with adjustments to Energreen/Central Negros Power Reliability, Inc. fees, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management rates, and Korean Electric Power Corporation-Salcon Power Corporation (Kepco-SPC) rates.

Ceneco initially applied the Kepco-SPC 8¢/kWh charge to consumer bills back in April.

A previous Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) decision allowed for Ceneco to collect P232 million in “unnominated quantities” from consumers.

Last month, the Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Center (SAC) filed a motion for reconsideration before the ERC over the collection.

SAC legal counsel Vicente Petierre III asked why would consumers pay for the 24-Megawatt intermediate power supply from Kepco-SPC, which covered July 2011 to February 2013, when Ceneco never used it./WDJ