Power rates of 10 rural co-ops lower than Meralco’s
The residential power rates of at least 10 electric cooperatives (ECs) last year were cheaper compared to those of the Manila Electric Co.(Meralco), the country’s biggest electricity distributor.
Data from the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (Philreca) showed that the average residential rate of Meralco in 2024 stood at P12.1683 per kilowatt hour (kWh). This was higher than the residential rates of some ECs, which ranged from P9.4808 to P12.1161 per kWh.
“If we compare to Meralco, these cooperatives are so small. Meralco holds essentially a mega franchise with the largest captive market,” Philreca representative Presley De Jesus said in a previous statement.
The Pampanga I Electric Cooperative Inc. (Pelco I), for instance, had an average residential rate of P9.4808 per kWh, lower by P2.6875 per kWh compared to Meralco.
The other power cooperatives with cheaper rates included Pelco II and III; First Laguna Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Batangas Electric Cooperative, Inc. I and II; Quezon Electric Cooperative, Inc. I and II; and Misamis Oriental Rural Electric Service Cooperative, Inc. I and II.
Meralco delivers electricity to Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and selected areas in Pampanga, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon. It only earns from distribution, supply and metering charges.
De Jesus also said that despite Meralco’s growing consumer base, its rates have continued to increase. As of end-June, the company serves more than eight million power consumers.
“This is something that deserves commendation. The electric cooperatives have proven that they can offer more affordable electricity to Filipino consumers, even compared to Meralco,” National Electrification Administration Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda, meanwhile, said in a radio interview earlier.
Last month, Meralco imposed a 49-centavo increase per kWh, bringing the overall rate of a typical household to P12.6435 per kWh.
