CHEAPER POWER RATES. Power lines of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) in Bacolod City. In Bacolod City and its neighboring localities, the power rate dropped by PHP0.9345 per kWh this month from PHP13.6716 in March to PHP12.7371 in April, the Ceneco advisory said on Thursday (April 20, 2023). (File photo)
BACOLOD CITY – Lower generation rates and fuel costs have brought down the average residential power rates in all three electric cooperatives in Negros Occidental in April.
On Thursday, the Northern Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noneco) reported a downward adjustment of PHP0.5144 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from PHP14.1849 in March to PHP13.6705 in April.
“This can be attributed to the 4.90 percent decrease in generation rate and also in fuel cost of the power generators,” the management said in a press statement on Thursday.
Noneco, which covers the cities of Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, Escalante, and San Carlos, and the municipalities of EB Magalona, Manapla, Toboso, and Calatrava, has power supply agreements with Palm Concepcion Power Corp. (PCPC) and Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC).
In the south, the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco) announced a reduction of PHP1.1062 per kWh from PHP15.4918 in March to PHP14.3856 in April.
“Reduction in the total electricity rates is driven by the total generation charge, which decreased by PHP1.0482 per kWh compared to last month’s rate,” it said in an advisory.
Noneco’s coverage area includes the cities of La Carlota, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and Sipalay, as well as the municipalities Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Ilog, Cauayan, Candoni, and Hinoba-an.
“Member-consumers are advised to conserve energy and to be aware of their energy consumption to avoid paying high electricity bill,” it added.
In this capital city and its neighboring localities, the power rate dropped by PHP0.9345 per kWh this month from PHP13.6716 in March to PHP12.7371 in April, the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) said in its advisory.
Pass-through charges, including generation, transmission and system loss, decreased by PHP0.5293 per kWh while there was also a reduction in fuel cost and fuel discount from the PCPC and a drop in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market price.
Aside from Bacolod, the Ceneco service area includes the cities of Bago, Talisay, Silay, and the municipalities of Murcia and Bago. (PNA)
