Palawan power consumers are expected to see lower electricity bills soon as the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) confirmed that power rates will return to the subsidized level of ₱7.39 per kilowatt-hour once its new supply deal with Delta P, Inc. (DPI) takes effect.
The reduction will apply to the generation cost of electricity delivered through the 40-megawatt Power Supply Agreement (PSA) between PALECO and Delta P.
PALECO said in a release Thursday afternoon that the agreement is backed by a Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME) subsidy that covers the difference between the actual cost of generation and the subsidized rate approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
“Sa oras na maisakatuparan ang 40 MW PSA, tanging SAGR na may halagang P7.39 na lamang muli ang sisingilin para sa generation cost kada kWh na i-su-supply o i-de-deliver ng Delta P sa mga konsyumer ng PALECO na nakakonekta sa Palawan Main Grid,” PALECO stated.
PALECO General Manager Engr. Rez L. Contrivida and Interim Board Chairperson Atty. Fe Marie D. Tagle signed the UCME Subsidy Agreement with Delta P and the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) on September 16, clearing the way for the implementation of the deal.
The subsidy applies to the Palawan main grid, which supplies electricity to Puerto Princesa City and the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Sofronio Española, Quezon, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Roxas, Taytay, and mainland Dumaran.
“Ang paglagda sa nasabing subsidy agreement ay nangangahulugang natupad na ng Paleco ang lahat ng bahagi nito at pangako nito noong huling Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) sa mga member-consumer-owners (MCO) upang masimulan ang implementasyon ng 40 MW PSA,” the cooperative said.
The cooperative said consumers will feel the effect of the lower rate once Delta P completes its remaining requirements with ERC, NAPOCOR, and the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo).
The PSA is expected to be in place before the end of PALECO’s current transition supply agreement with the same power provider.
“Inaasahan na masisimulan ang pagpapatupad ng kasunduan bago o sa araw ng pagtatapos ng Transition Power Supply Agreement (TPSA) ng Paleco at Delta P at mararamdaman naman ng mga miyembro at konsyumer ng Paleco ang pagbaba ng singil sa kuryente sa mga susunod na buwan,” PALECO said.
Power prices in Palawan currently play between ₱17 and ₱18 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
