CONSUMERS may expect a 20-centavo per kilowatt hour (kWh) increase in their electrical bill this summer said Davao Light Power Corporation (DLPC) executive.
DLPC executive vice president and chief operating officer Rodger Velasco said the primary reasons for this increase include the dry rates of the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the coming of the new supplier San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation (SMCPC). He clarified that the 20-centavo per kWh is a regular increase every summer and is neither significantly higher nor lower as compared to the previous summers.
Velasco added there is a regular expected increase in the electrical fee every summer naturally because of the increased electrical consumption due to a warmer weather and the dry rates of NPC which lasts for six months from January to June.
“In terms of electricity consumption, yes, there is an increase. We’ve noticed increases in every sector of our customers from industrial, residential, and commercial. Generally, we’re expecting about 8 percent increase in electrical consumption this summer,” said Velasco. He added for the part of DLPC, electrical demand usually peaks up during the months of April to May due to the hot season and on November caused by manufacturing industries.
With the coming in of SMCPC as a new electricity supplier and partner of DLPC, Velasco said this will also result to an increase in electrical rates starting this month. However he assured they will release official statements to talk more on the specific effects this partnership will have to the consumers.
The partnership of DLPC and SMCPC which was received by the Energy Regulatory Commission April of last year has already started its operations February to March of this year. According to Velsco, SMCPC, which uses coal as its power source from Malita, has a share of about 15 to 20 percent in the overall DLPC electrical demand.
“They have started supplying us end of February to March of this year. They just started. It will affect the rates sometime this month and forward. We will be coming up with a statement soon. This will include all Davao Light franchise,” Velasco said.