Average residential power rates of all three distribution utilities in Negros Occidental decreased in March due to lower cost of various charges, separate advisories from the power supply distributors showed.
In a statement yesterday, the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) announced a rate of P13.5982 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for March, lower by P0.6707 from February’s P14.2689 per kWh.
“The lower rate is due to the reduction of P0.4875 per kWh in the ancillary service charge of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines in the reserve market. The ancillary service is needed to stabilize the power grid,” it said.
Fluctuation in foreign exchange rates and fuel cost of suppliers and the decrease in the prices of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) were also noted.
Noneco serves consumers in the northern part of the province, from E.B. Magalona town to San Carlos City.
In central Negros, the Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) reported an average cost of P11.4766 per kWh, with a reduction of P0.6711 from P12.1477 per kWh in February.
“We are pleased to announce this positive development to our customers. This positive shift is attributed to a combination of factors, including lower generation costs and a decrease in transmission charges,” Negros Power said.
This March, Green Core Geothermal Inc. implemented a temporary baseload discount of P0.15 per kWh for the entire year; Palm Concepcion Power Corp.’s emergency power supply agreement rate decreased by P0.0267 per kWh; and prices in the WESM dropped by P0.5142 per kWh.
Average transmission charge also went down due to lower ancillary service costs, it added.
Negros Power’s franchise area includes the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay, and Silay, and the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.
Down south, the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco), which covers areas from Pulupandan to Hinoba-an, said its power rate decreased by P0.6030 per kWh in March to P13.9595, from P14.5625 in February.
“This reduction is primarily due to lower transmission and systems loss charges,” it said. (PNA)