• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Member-consumers of the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco) will pay P13.9595 per kilowatt-hour this billing month, or a reduction of P0.6030, from last month’s rate of P14.5625/kWh.
The decrease was primarily due to lower transmission and systems loss charges, at P2.6129 and P0.5314/kWh respectively, from P3.0663 and P0.7274/kWh in February.
“However, as we approach the hotter months, we anticipate a surge in electricity demand and potential supply constraints,” Noceco said.
It encourages member-consumer-owners (MCOs) in Pulupandan, San Enrique, Valladolid, Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Isabela, Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Ilog, Candoni, Cauayan, Sipalay, Hinoba-an, and La Carlota City, to be mindful of their energy consumption to help manage costs and ensure stable supply.
This is the first power rate decrease this year for Noceco.
For the billing month of February, Noceco’s average residential rate increased by P0.3409/kWh, and P0.2673/kWh in January.
It added that its Distribution, Supply, and Metering (DSM) charges stood at P1.6109/kWh since February 2010. “This means that despite the changes in other components of your bill, DSM charges remain consistent.”
As per the National Electrification Administration, the distribution charge refers to the regulated cost of building, operating, and maintaining the distribution system, which brings power from high voltage transmission grids to commercial/industrial establishments and residential end-users.
The supply charge includes the cost of rendering service to customers, such as, billing, collection, customer assistance, and related services; while the metering charge refers to the cost of metering, its reading, operation, and maintenance of power metering facilities.
“Noceco remains committed to providing reliable electricity service at the most affordable cost possible (and is) continually seeking solutions to minimize the impact of fluctuating electricity prices,” the distribution utility said. | CGC
