Meralco confirms P1.44 per kWh rate increase in March

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) confirmed that electricity rates are set to rise by as much as P1.44 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in March as a result of the maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya gas-to-power facility later this month.

"Malampaya shutdown's impact will be in March," Meralco Spokesman Joe R. Zaldarriaga told GMA News Online on Tuesday.

The offshore natural gas facility is schedule to undergo maintenance shutdown from January 28 to February 18. Malampaya supplies three power plants with a total generating capacity of 2,700 megawatts equivalent to 40 to 45 percent of the requirements of the Luzon grid.

According to energy officials, electricity rates may increase by P1.20 to P1.44 per kWh, taking into account the impact of the Malampaya shutdown.

An earlier price simulation by Meralco placed the impact of the Malampaya shutdown on electricity rates at P1 per kWh. — VS, GMA News