Lowest Electricity Rates In Western Visayas: A Closer Look At NEPC-CENECO & MORE Power

In the dynamic world of energy distribution, consumers in Western Visayas and Negros Island can breathe a little easier, thanks to the efforts of MORE Power and NEPC-CENECO. Amid rising generation and transmission costs across the country, these two utilities have managed to offer the lowest electricity rates in the region, providing much-needed relief for residents.

Competitive Power Procurement Keeps Rates Low

MORE Power, serving Iloilo City and nearby areas, continues to lead in delivering the most affordable electricity. For September 2024, MORE Power’s residential rate is set at P12.61 per kilowatt hour (kWh), a modest reduction from the previous month’s rate. Their competitive generation charge, which is currently at P6.76/kWh, is the lowest in Panay and Guimaras. This achievement can be credited to their efficient power procurement practices, ensuring lower costs for consumers.

Similarly, NEPC-CENECO in Central Negros, despite facing a slight increase in generation costs, offers the cheapest electricity rate in the entire Western Visayas and Negros Island Region. Their residential rate stands at P11.70/kWh, significantly lower than many other electric cooperatives in the region.

Managing Rising Generation and Transmission Costs

Electricity rates are largely influenced by generation and transmission charges, which are passed on directly to consumers. In September, NEPC-CENECO experienced a notable increase in its generation charge due to higher Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) prices. Transmission charges also surged due to the resumption of Ancillary Services in the Reserve Market. Despite these challenges, NEPC-CENECO’s competitive procurement strategies have helped them maintain the lowest residential rate in the region.

Jonathan Cabrera, NEPC-CENECO’s spokesperson, emphasized this commitment to affordability, saying:

“As a distribution utility, there is no increase in the distribution charge. As we all know, generation charges constitute a significant portion of our total electricity rates per kilowatt hour. We remain steadfast in our commitment to efficient electricity supply trading in the market, ensuring that we secure the most competitive prices to deliver affordable rates to our consumers.”

This focus on stabilizing generation and transmission costs has helped NEPC-CENECO maintain lower overall rates compared to other cooperatives.

Transition to Negros Power and the Awaited CPCN

Behind NEPC-CENECO’s recent achievements is the involvement of Primelectric Holdings Inc., through Negros Power. While this collaboration promises better service and infrastructure development, Negros Power is still awaiting the issuance of its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). This certification is critical for Negros Power to fully implement its 5-year rehabilitation plan for Bacolod City and take full control of billing operations. For now, CENECO remains responsible for billing, while Negros Power focuses on the management, operation, and maintenance of the facilities.

Comparative Rates in the Region

In contrast to the rates offered by MORE Power and NEPC-CENECO, other cooperatives across the region have seen significant increases in their residential rates due to rising generation and transmission costs.

Here’s a comparison of electricity rates across Western Visayas and Negros Island for September 2024:

Images courtesy of TODO Media.

The stability of distribution charges from both MORE Power and NEPC-CENECO, along with their commitment to efficient power trading, provides a welcome contrast to the rising costs seen elsewhere.

Looking Ahead

As Western Visayas and Negros Island Region continue to navigate fluctuations in electricity prices, it’s clear that the efforts of MORE Power and NEPC-CENECO in managing power procurement and maintaining stable distribution charges are crucial for consumers. With Negros Power soon to take full operational control after securing its CPCN, the outlook for electricity services in Central Negros looks promising, and residents can look forward to sustained affordability in the long term.

For now, consumers in Iloilo and Bacolod can rest assured that, despite the nationwide trend of rising energy costs, they are still benefiting from some of the lowest electricity rates in the region.