Relief is on the way for Meralco customers as the country’s largest power distributor announced a rate reduction of ₱0.1852 per kWh this September, bringing lower electricity bills for households.
With this adjustment, the overall rate for a typical household will go down to ₱13.0851 per kWh from ₱13.2703 per kWh last month.
“For residential customers consuming 200 kWh, this means a savings of around ₱37 in their September bill. We hope that this cut, along with the usually lower consumption during this season, provides welcome relief to our customers,” said Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga.
Lower generation charge brings down rates
The main driver of the reduction is the drop in generation charges by ₱0.2603 per kWh, thanks to cheaper costs from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Power Supply Agreements (PSAs).
These savings were largely influenced by the strengthening of the Peso against the US Dollar and the decline in international fuel prices, directly benefiting consumers.
Customers still enjoy bill reductions from distribution adjustments
Meralco stressed that its distribution charge remains unchanged since the ₱0.0360 per kWh reduction in August 2022. Customers also continue to enjoy a distribution-related true-up adjustment that brings an additional reduction of ₱0.2024 per kWh in their monthly bills.
Energy efficiency and safety reminders
As the rainy season continues, Meralco reminds customers to observe electrical safety during floods and to practice energy efficiency to further lower bills. Simple practices like cleaning air conditioner filters and fan blades, ironing clothes in bulk, avoiding overfilling refrigerators, and switching to LED bulbs can make a big difference.
Customers may also use the Meralco Appliance Calculator for a better grasp of their household energy consumption and potential savings.
For assistance, customers can report their concerns through the My Meralco app or through Meralco’s official social media accounts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/meralco) and X formerly Twitter (@meralco). They may also text their concerns to 0920-9716211 or 0917-5516211 or contact the Meralco Hotline at 16211.