By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Residents of Guimaras are contending with a hefty electricity rate as the Guimaras Electric Cooperative (GUIMELCO) imposed a P17.6750 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) residential rate for August 2024.
According to the latest data, GUIMELCO recorded the highest residential electricity rate among distribution utilities (DUs) on Panay Island.
GUIMELCO reported an increase of P2.43/kWh in August, which it attributed to a staggered payment plan for Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) bills and rising line rental costs driven by congestion in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) system in Panay.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) directed all DUs to stagger their WESM bills from June to September. The increase in line rental costs, which started in June, is expected to continue for several months.
“While we understand that this increase places an unjust burden on our Member-Consumer-Owners, it is beyond GUIMELCO’s control and is also affecting other electric cooperatives in the region,” GUIMELCO said in an August statement.
GUIMELCO stated that it has reached out to regulatory agencies for intervention but warned that if no action is taken, rates may continue to surge, especially if WESM prices keep rising.
The cooperative clarified that the increase does not benefit GUIMELCO, as the additional costs go directly to power suppliers.
It also emphasized that the Distribution, Supply, and Metering charges, which cover the cooperative’s operational costs, remain fixed at P2.9162/kWh.
GUIMELCO’s rates have fluctuated in recent months, charging P15.2465/kWh in July, P10.4135/kWh in June, and P14.4686/kWh in May.
Other distribution utilities on Panay Island posted lower rates for August. Iloilo Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ILECO) III had the lowest rate at P11.8432/kWh, while ILECO I and ILECO II charged P16.3159/kWh and P14.4994/kWh, respectively.
Capiz Electric Cooperative posted a rate of P15.3239/kWh, Aklan Electric Cooperative set its rate at P15.1742/kWh, and Antique Electric Cooperative charged P15.4010/kWh.
MORE Electric and Power Corporation, which serves Iloilo City, maintained a competitive rate of P12.6668/kWh.
