By MAE SINGUAY

Central Negros Electric Cooperative-Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Ceneco-NEPC) has the cheapest power rate among the 13 distribution utilities in Western Visayas and Negros Island Region.

Ceneco-NEPC’s total residential rate for this month remains at P11.70 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

NEPC spokesperson Jonathan Cabrera said despite Ceneco’s earlier announcement that their electricity rate has increased to P11.6884 per kWh from last month’s P10.8380 per kWh, it is still the cheapest compared to rates of other distribution utilities in Panay, Guimaras and Negros Islands.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to efficient electricity supply trading in the market, ensuring that we secure the most competitive prices to deliver affordable rates to our consumers,” Cabrera said.

NEPC’s sister company, MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), has the second cheapest residential rate with only P12.61 per kWh, a decrease of P0.04 per kWh compared to the previous month.

MORE Power also has the lowest generation charge this month, reaching only P6.76 per kWh.

In Negros Island Region, Negros Oriental Electric Cooperatives (Noreco) 1 and 2 have power rates of P15.69 and P14.41 per kWh, respectively; Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative, P14.56 per kWh; and Northern Negros Electric Cooperative, P15.04 per kWh.

Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (Ileco) 1, 2 and 3 have power rates ranging from P12.75 to P15.93 per kWh.

According to Ceneco, the P0.8504 per kWh rate is mainly attributed to the total generation charge, which increased by 3.34 percent in September due to a price increase in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, from P6.6063 per kWh to P7.0550 per kWh, or an upward adjustment of P0.4487 per kWh.

“As a distribution utility, there is no increase in the distribution charge,” Cabrera said.

Generation charges constitute a significant portion of the total electricity rates per kWh.

Cabrera said electric cooperatives are experiencing an increase in their total residential rates due to the rise in generation and transmission charges, which are passed on to consumers.

The average transmission rate has increased by 67.80 percent due to higher ancillary service (AS) rates stemming from the resumption of the AS Reserve Market.

There are no changes in the distribution charge, which is allocated to the electric distribution utilities, Cabrera said./MS, WDJ