Bacolod: The Negros Electric Power Corp. here urged consumers to adopt energy-efficient practices as electricity rates increase across the Visayas this month.
According to Philippines News Agency, Negros Power, which serves the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay, Silay, as well as the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental, pegged its average residential rate increase at PHP2.46 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for this month's billing statement issued on or before June 16.
Households will have to pay PHP13.84 per kWh for June consumption, from only PHP11.38 per kWh in May. In a statement Tuesday, energy sourcing manager Christian John Villena said the situation is not unique to Negros Power, noting that other distribution utilities in the Visayas are also expected to register upward rate adjustments because of higher power generation costs.
'Prevailing market conditions are affecting the entire Visayas grid. We want our consumers to understand that this increase is primarily due to higher generation costs, resulting from limited power supply and increased fuel prices,' he added. A major contributor is the significant increase in prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the venue for trading electricity in the country.
Spot market prices more than doubled in June due to limited available power supply. Electricity demand remained high, but several power plants were unavailable, resulting in yellow and red alert declarations of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines for both the Luzon and Visayas grids, Villena said.
This month, transmission charges slightly decreased, but the reduction was not enough to offset the increase in generation costs. 'Negros Power continues to pursue the most competitive and reliable power supply sources available while encouraging consumers to adopt energy-efficient practices to help manage electricity consumption,' the power company said.
To save electricity, Negros Power advised consumers to unplug and save since even when turned off, appliances and chargers can still consume power, as well as switch to light-emitting diodes, noting that LED bulbs use up to 80 percent less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs.
When using an air conditioner, follow the 24 degrees to 26 degrees Celsius rule to keep the unit at an energy-efficient temperature to stay cool while keeping your consumption low, it said. 'Let the light in. Maximize natural light and ventilation by opening curtains and windows during the day,' it added.
