Ceneco cuts June rate by more than 2 pesos

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY –  Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) general manager Atty. Arnel Lapore announced that the electric rate for June 2024 has decreased to Php12.7632/kWh, a drop of P2.40/kWh from last month’s rate of P15.1632/kWh.

This reduction follows the implementation of the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) between Ceneco and the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), granted under a Provisional Authority by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

EDC began supplying 20 MW of base load power to Ceneco on June 14, 2024, Lapore said.

He noted that with the additional power from EDC, Ceneco’s exposure to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), where electricity prices are unstable, will be minimized.

Lapore added that a further reduction in rates is expected in next month’s billing.

The contract between Ceneco and EDC resulted from a Competitive Selection Process (CSP) conducted by the Third Party Bids and Awards Committee (TPBAC).

Lapore commended the TPBAC, the Corporate Planning Department, and the Board of Directors for their efforts in securing ERC approval for Ceneco’s motion to implement the PSA.

The cooperative also acknowledged the support of Negros Occidental Acting Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez in urging the ERC to grant the motion promptly.

Mayor Albee Benitez informed consumers that residential rates had decreased by an average of P2.40/kWh for June 2024 billing.

Meanwhile, Atty. Caesar Distrito, spokesman for Mayor Benitez, said the mayor emphasized the importance of power rate reduction in providing relief to consumers struggling in challenging times.

“He is persistent in seeking measures to ensure affordable power for consumers,” Distrito said.

“I am looking forward to more power rate adjustments in July and the succeeding months after the ERC positively responded to Ceneco and EDC’s urgent request in granting the joint petition filed on March 15, 2024, for the approval of the PSA and for the temporary suspension of price increases in the WESM due to the recent red alert status declared by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP),” Distrito quoted the mayor.

He also reminded the public to practice energy-saving measures at home to maximize the benefits of the reduced power rates.

The mayor assured Bacolodnons and other Ceneco consumers that, in collaboration with the forthcoming operation of Negros Power, he will continue to advocate for reliable, affordable, and clean power through renewable energy to ease the burden on electric consumers in Bacolod City.