MANILA, Philippines — Customers of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) will face higher electricity bills this November after the power distributor announced a rate increase of P0.4895 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), mainly due to rising power generation costs.

The adjustment brings the overall residential electricity rate to P15.5510 per kWh, up from P15.0615 per kWh in October.

For households consuming 200 kWh per month, the increase translates to approximately P98 in additional charges on their electricity bills.

Meralco attributed the increase primarily to higher generation charges, which rose by P0.4344 per kWh.

The company cited more expensive fuel used by natural gas-fired power plants, higher electricity prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), and the weakening of the Philippine peso against the US dollar.

Charges from First Gas and Prime CoreGen increased by P2.9241 per kWh following adjustments in Malampaya natural gas prices and higher costs of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Meralco also reported that electricity demand in Luzon increased by approximately 769 megawatts amid warmer temperatures in October, contributing to higher spot market prices.

Meanwhile, adjustments to Meralco's distribution charges will also take effect this month following a regulatory rate review approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

The company said the distribution rate adjustment would add approximately P1.92 to the bill of a residential customer consuming 200 kWh, although refunds beginning this month will help offset the increase.

Meralco explained that the regulatory adjustment covers distribution, supply and metering charges following more than a decade without a formal rate reset.

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