The three electric cooperatives in Negros Occidental will have large power rates increases this month because of the damaged National Grid Corp. of the Philippines submarine cable connecting the Cebu-Negros transmission line, Danny Pondevilla, Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) acting general manager and project supervisor, said Thursday, August 19.
He said the average residential rate of CENECO for August will be P12.3724 per kWh, an increase of P1.8789 per kWh from last month’s rate of P10.4935 per kWH.
He attributed this to the hike in generation charges that resulted from the increase in market prices because of the damaged submarine cable and preventive maintenance work at Palm Concepcion Power Corp. in Iloilo, Energy Regulatory Commission approved adjustments, and government subsidies and taxes.
Pondevilla, who is also Northern Negros Electric Cooperative general manager, said the NONECO rates are also up by more than P2 per kWh for August.
The Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (NOCECO) in southern Negros is also likely to increase its rates by P3 per kWh, he said.
NONECO and NOCECO had not released their official rate hikes for August as of Thursday.*