Bohol’s electricity provider announces reduction in power rate

TAGBILARAN CITY — Residents here are looking forward to a bright and festive Christmas due to lower electricity bills.

Bohol Light, an electricity provider operated by Primelectric, announced on Wednesday, Dec. 11, a P1.59 per kilowatt hour (kWh) reduction in the total electricity rate this Christmas season compared to the November billing.

According to Bohol Light, residential consumers in Tagbilaran City will only pay P10.67 per kWh, down from P12.27 last month.

Meanwhile, commercial consumers will be charged P10.38 per kWh, a reduction of P1.57/kWh.

These new rates will cover the monthly billing cycle starting Nov. 15 to Dec. 15, 2024.

When Primelectric took over the operation of Bohol Light last September, the rate was P13.62/kWh, and the consumers experienced a significant reduction of P3.81/kWh in their October billing.

The fluctuations in electricity prices are due to unstable costs in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, which has significantly impacted the calculation of the power generation cost.

Generation and transmission rates are considered “pass-through” charges, reflecting the costs billed by power generators and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to Bohol Light and other private distribution utilities and electric cooperatives.

These charges are passed on to consumers and remitted to the power suppliers and NGCP.

The distribution rate — consisting of distribution, supply, and metering charges — remains at P0.9840/kWh. These charges are strictly regulated by the Energy Regulatory Commission and have remained unchanged since 2015.

Bohol Light reminded customers to practice electrical safety during the holiday season.