Cost of oil and electricity rates increased for the month of April
Several oil firms announced an increase on gasoline by P0.25 per liter, diesel by P0.20 per liter, and kerosene by P0.10 per liter.
Petro Gazz, Eastern Petroleum Corp., Seaoil Philippines, Total Philippines, PTT Philippines, and Unioil Philippines announced the increase.
Meanwhile, electricity rates this month will have an increase of P10.5594 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from previous billing’s P10.4961 per kWh. A typical household consuming 200 kWh will have a slight increase of P13.
Power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said the increase was due to higher spot-market prices and the peso depreciation.
WESM charges increased to P1.2815 per kWh this April due to tighter supply conditions in the Luzon grid. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines put the Luzon grid under Yellow Alert on March 5, 7, and 8, 2019 brought by limited capability of several power plant to bring sufficient operating reserves.
Luzon grid was placed under Yellow Alert on April 8, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., making it the sixth yellow alert this month.
Power plants which underwent forced outages were SLPGC 2 (150 MW) and Pagbilao 3 (420 MW). Other generators that are still on unplanned outage are SLTEC 1 (121 MW) and Malaya 2 (350 MW. While derated plants are Calaca 2 at 200 MW from 300 MW and Malaya 1 at 150 MW from 300 MW.
