Negros Power cuts October residential rate

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Power announced a slight drop in electricity rates for October 2025, with the average residential rate now at PHP 11.9181 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), down PHP 0.3594/kWh from PHP 12.2775/kWh in September.

The utility attributed the decrease primarily to lower generation costs as the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) rate declined from PHP 7.6219/kWh to PHP 5.1922/kWh.

This reduction followed the resumption of normal operations in several power plants, which eased supply tightness and stabilized market prices.

Despite the decrease, Negros Power noted minor increases in other billing components.

Transmission charges rose by PHP 0.1189/kWh due to higher Ancillary and Reserve Market costs, while a Business/Franchise Tax adjustment of PHP 0.0094/kWh was applied for the fourth quarter of 2025.

The combined effect still resulted in a net decrease in residential electricity rates.

Negros Power reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and affordability, emphasizing continued efforts to maintain a stable power supply and fair pricing.

Formally known as the Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC), the utility began operating in parts of central Negros Occidental in 2024 through a Joint Venture Agreement with the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO).

The partnership aims to modernize the power distribution system, improve service reliability, and deliver better energy solutions to households and businesses.

Since the transition, Negros Power has invested in infrastructure upgrades, enhanced customer service systems, and aligned operations with national energy efficiency standards.

President and CEO Roel Castro said the company remains committed to finding ways to reduce electricity costs for consumers.

He explained that about 60 percent of an electric bill is made up of generation charges, which are considered pass-through costs.

“So if the generation cost goes down, the electric bill goes down because the distribution utility does not make money from generation charges; it is a complete pass-through to consumers,” Castro said.

He added that the company closely monitors the electricity market to secure cost-efficient energy supply.

“We are not sitting ducks waiting for whatever is available,” he said. “We study the market and have a trading room because the price changes every minute.”

Castro said it is the company’s responsibility to purchase electricity at the lowest possible price.

“If there is one guarantee I can give, it is that we will actively look for ways to lower the rates,” he said.

Since taking over from CENECO, Negros Power has invested around PHP 1.2 billion in major rehabilitation projects to improve electricity service in Negros Occidental.