‘Average power rate of ECs in Mindanao highest in PHL’
By Business Mirror and Cai U. Ordinario – November 18, 2024
Electric cooperatives (ECs) in Mindanao charged the highest power rates nationwide in 2023, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Based on the PSA’s Compendium of Philippine Environment Statistics, electric cooperatives in Mindanao charged an average of P10.99 per kilowatt hour (kwh). This is higher than the average of P10.49 per kwh in Luzon and the P8.50 per kwh in the Visayas.
The national average power rate in 2023 reached P12.09 per kwh, according to the agency.
“The Compendium of Philippine Environment Statistics is a compilation of environment and related socioeconomic statistics collected from various government agencies,” PSA said.
The data showed there are variations in electricity prices in Mindanao. The highest rates were charged by electric cooperatives based in Davao region at P12.09 kwh followed by Northern Mindanao at P11.56 per kwh.
The lowest rate was recorded in Caraga region with an average rate of P10.40 per kwh followed by Zamboanga Peninsula at an average of P10.47 per kwh in 2023.
However, PSA noted that average electricity rates were incomplete in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) where the average rate was recorded at P10.91 per kwh.
Data for Cagayan de Sulu, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao were not available in 2023. Apart from last year, data were also unavailable for Cagayan de Sulu in 2019-2021 and 2014-2016.
In the case of Lanao del Sur, electricity rate data was also missing for 2016-2018. Data for 2018 was also unavailable for Maguindanao.
Among the provinces nationwide, ECs in Mindoro Occidental charged the highest rates which averaged P19.55 per kwh in 2023. This is also the highest average recorded by the province over a 10-year period.
Private utilities
The PSA data also showed that among private utilities, electricity rates that these firms charged averaged P8.95 per kwh nationwide.
The highest was recorded in the Visayas at P9.99 per kwh followed by Luzon at P8.95 per kwh and Mindanao, P7.92 per kwh.
In Luzon, the Public Utilities Department (PUD)-Olongapo charged average of P13.29 per kwh followed by the Manila Electric Co. at P10.74 per kwh; First Bay Power at P10.50 per kwh; and Angeles Electric Corp., P10.46 per kwh.
In the Visayas, the highest rate was recorded by the Bohol Light & Power Co. at P11.41 per kwh followed by Balamban Enerzone at P10.47 per kwh and Visayas Electric Co., P10.27 per kwh.
In Mindanao, the highest rates were charged by the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (P9.53 per kwh) and the Iligan Light and Power Co. (P9.18 per kwh).
Nonetheless, the data released by the PSA showed there were missing rates from the Bauan Electric Light System; Ibaan Electric and Engineering Corp.; Manaoag Utiliy Inc.; and Mansons Corp. for 2023.
Data for 2023 was also unavailable for San Fernando Electric Light and Power; Clark Electricity Distribution Utility; Malvar Ecozone; Mactan Electric Company Inc.; and Provincial Public Utilities Department (PPUD) (PPUD)-Bohol.
