BACOLOD CITY: Average residential power rates of all three distribution utilities in Negros Occidental decreased by about PHP2 to PHP3 in August, separate reports on Friday showed. The downward adjustments, which came after a series of increases in the past months, are mainly attributed to the reduction in generation rates due to lower prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). In a statement, the North Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) said this month, power cost is PHP13.79 per kilowatt hour (kWh), lower by PHP1.99 compared to PHP15.79 per kWh in July. "There's a 12 percent reduction in August. This is due to the decrease in the WESM rate, from PHP9.2569 to PHP9.0412 per kWh or PHP0.2157," it added. Down south, the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco) announced an August rate of PHP13.062 per kWh, from PHP16.1134 in July. "The PHP3.0514 per kWh decrease in the total residential electricity rate is driven by the total generation charge which reduced by PHP2.5705 per kWh from l ast month," it said in a statement. Noceco noted "the main factor in the decrease in generation charge is the PHP6.3907 per kWh reduction in the energy cost from WESM". In Bacolod and its neighboring areas, the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) posted an average residential rate of PHP10.838 per kWh in August, from PHP13.345 in July. Total generation charge dropped by 21.55 percent due to the decrease in the WESM price from PHP10.4293 to only PHP6.6063 per kWh, it said. Also, the collection of additional universal charges for missionary electrification amounting to PHP0.0433/kWh has ceased, based on the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. advisory effective August 2024 billing. Source: Philippines News Agency