Meralco rates to rise in November as generation costs rise, peso depreciates
An electric company line-man ducks inside an elevated platform called a “cherry-picker” as he navigates under overhead electric meters along Recto Avenue in Manila on July 31, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FilePeso depreciation blamed
MANILA — Meralco rates are expected to rise by P0.49 per P0.49 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in November 2026 due to a higher generation charge.
The adjustment raises the overall rate for a typical household to P15.5510 per kWh from P15.0615 in October, adding around P98 to the monthly bill of families consuming 200 kWh, Meralco said in a statement.
- The increase translates to the following additional costs for households:
- 200 kWh — P98
- 300 kWh — P147
- 400 kWh — P196
- 500 kWh — P245
The generation charge climbed P0.4344 per kWh due to higher power supplier costs linked to peso depreciation and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, Meralco said.
Charges from First Gas/Prime CoreGen rose P2.9241 per kWh following quarterly Malampaya natural gas repricing, pricier liquefied natural gas imports and the peso dropping to its lowest level during the period, affecting dollar-denominated costs.
Wholesale Electricity Spot Market charges also surged P4.3946 per kWh as average Luzon power demand jumped by roughly 769 megawatts amid warmer October temperatures that exceeded levels recorded during the 2024 El Niño event.
Higher taxes and other pass-through charges added P0.2165 per kWh, largely due to lower use of tax-exempt indigenous natural gas. However, lower power supply agreement charges and a new regulator-approved six-month tariff refund of P0.1733 per kWh tempered the overall increase.
Meralco also reminded customers that disconnections for households consuming 200 kWh or less remain suspended until December, provided unpaid bills from May to July are settled by November 26.