The average residential electricity rates of all three distribution utilities in Negros Occidental decreased in May mainly due to lower prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

The Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) reported a downward adjustment of P1.7807 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) this month, settling at P13.28 per kWh from P15.07 per kWh in April.

In a statement, its management said it was due to the decrease in the WESM price and the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates and fuel cost of power suppliers.

Noneco serves consumers from E.B. Magalona town to San Carlos City in northern Negros Occidental.

In central Negros, the Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) announced a rate of P11.69 per kWh, lower by P0.66 per kWh from P12.35 per kWh in the previous month.

According to Negros Power, this can be attributed to the significant decrease in the WESM price, from P6.68 per kWh in April to P5.42 per kWh in May.

The emergency power supply agreement rate of supplier Palm Concepcion Power Corp. also decreased by about P0.20 per kWh, it added.

Negros Power distributes electricity to consumers in the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay as well as the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco) reported a decrease of P3.58 per kWh in May, bringing down this month’s power rate to P12.02 per kWh from P15.61 per kWh in April.

“The primary driver for the significant decrease is the lower generation charge and the favorable change is primarily attributed to a significant reduction in the cost of power sourced from the WESM,” its management said in a statement.

Noceco’s coverage area includes the localities in southern Negros, from Pulupandan down to Hinoba-an. (PNA)