By Dolly Yasa
The electricity rate in the Negros Power franchise area has dropped by PHP0.6711 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for March 2025, bringing the average residential rate to PHP11.4766 per kWh.
The decrease follows a reduction from last month’s rate of PHP12.1477 per kWh, driven by lower generation costs, transmission charges, and system losses.
Negros Power cited a temporary baseload discount of PHP0.15 per kWh from Green Core Geothermal Inc. (GCGI), valid throughout 2025, as a major factor in the rate reduction. In addition, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.’s (PSALM) Energy Power Supply Agreement (EPSA) rate fell from PHP6.1635 to PHP6.1368, contributing a PHP0.0267 decrease.
Wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) prices also declined, dropping from PHP4.0525 to PHP3.5383 per kWh, reducing costs by PHP0.5142 per kWh.
Transmission charges fell due to lower ancillary service costs, with the average transmission rate decreasing from PHP1,000.7771 to PHP726.9680, a reduction of PHP273.8091.
System losses also saw improvements, with feeder loss dropping from 9.88% last month to 8.27%, while the total system loss stands at 11.51%. These reductions resulted in a PHP0.0539 per kWh decrease in system loss charges.
Despite these cost reductions, the feed-in tariff allowance (FIT-ALL) rate increased from PHP0.0838 to PHP0.1189 per kWh, reflecting a PHP0.0351 hike as per the Energy Regulatory Commission’s resolution (Case No. 2023-096 RC, dated Feb. 19, 2025).
For March 2025, Negros Power set the following electricity rates: residential at PHP11.4766 per kWh, low voltage at PHP11.5931 per kWh, and high voltage at PHP10.4899 per kWh.
The latest rate cut provides relief to consumers in the Negros Power franchise area, offering lower electricity costs amid fluctuating energy prices.
