Projected ₱26 per kilowatt-hour electricity rate for consumers of Samar Electric Cooperative I (SAMELCO I) this September is not yet final, as the cooperative awaits the final billing from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).
In its latest update, SAMELCO I said the actual September power rate could potentially fall below ₱15 per kilowatt-hour following the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) implementation of a Regionalized Secondary Price Cap for the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), where electricity is bought and sold to power suppliers and buyers.
The cooperative said its effective final power rate is expected to be released on September 16 or 17, after it receives the final IEMOP billing.
The clarification follows growing concern among consumers after the possible ₱26/kWh rate was earlier announced.
SAMELCO I previously explained that the projected increase was linked to higher IEMOP charges, including the cost of electricity from the WESM, the continued charging of the disputed line rental, and limited capacity in the Luzon-Visayas transmission system.
Line rental refers to charges related to the use of transmission facilities to deliver electricity to the cooperative.
The cooperative also sought regulatory relief from the ERC for its September 2026 IEMOP power bill and line rental charges.
