As a result of the summer, among others, households and establishments served by the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will have an increase of P0.0872 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in their electricity billings for April.

The latest increase brings Meralco’s rates this year to P8.4067 per kWh from P8.3195 per kWh in March.

This means households that consume 200 kWh per month will see an increase of P17.44 in their monthly bill; 300-kWh consumption, P26.16; 400 kWh, P34.88; and 500 kWh, P43.6.

Meralco said the generation charge for the month went  up to P4.5370 per kWh, or P0.1621 higher than last month’s P4.3749 per kWh. It attributed the rise in electricity rates to higher power prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), which went up by P2.5991 per kWh due as tighter supply conditions prevailed in the Luzon grid. This can also be attributed to the onset of the summer, resulting in peak power demand.

Meralco said the increase in its power rates is lower than last year’s.

“This month’s overall rate is still P0.5884 per kWh lower than last year’s rate of P8.9951 per kWh,” the power distributor said.

Meralco also assured its consumers that there will no more “bill shock” and will not undertake any disconnection activities in its franchise area until April 15, 2021.