{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-13/meralco-november-rate-increase","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-13/meralco-november-rate-increase.md","title":"Meralco Raises November Power Rates by P0.4895 per kWh","headline":"Meralco Lifts November Electricity Rates to P15.5510 per kWh on Higher Generation Costs","description":"Meralco raised November electricity rates by P0.4895 per kWh, lifting the typical household rate to P15.5510 and adding about P98 to a 200-kWh bill.","section":"Business","published_at":"2026-11-13T06:54:08+00:00","modified_at":"2026-11-13T06:54:08+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Meralco raised the overall rate for a typical household to P15.5510 per kWh in November from P15.0615 in October.","The generation charge rose by P0.4344 per kWh, driven by higher supplier costs tied to peso depreciation and the Middle East crisis.","First Gas/Prime CoreGen charges climbed P2.9241 per kWh as its LNG use rose from 24 percent to 44 percent."],"companies":[{"name":"Meralco","is_primary":true,"profile_url":null,"website":"http://www.meralco.com.ph"}],"source":{"publisher":"The Manila Times","title":"Meralco rates to increase in Nov","url":"https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/11/13/news/meralco-rates-to-increase-in-nov/2469304"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Business","Meralco"],"body_markdown":"Manila Electric Company raised electricity rates by P0.4895 per kilowatt-hour in November, lifting the overall rate for a typical household to P15.5510 from P15.0615 in October, [The Manila Times](https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/11/13/news/meralco-rates-to-increase-in-nov/2469304) reported on November 13, 2026. For a residential customer using 200 kWh, the adjustment adds around P98 to the total bill.\n\n## What Drove Meralco's November Rate Adjustment\n\nMeralco said the increase came mostly from the generation charge component, which rose by P0.4344 per kWh because of higher costs from power suppliers. The utility said those supplier costs remain affected by peso depreciation and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.\n\nCharges from First Gas/Prime CoreGen went up by P2.9241 per kWh, mainly due to higher fuel costs from the Malampaya natural gas quarterly repricing and an increase in the price of liquefied natural gas. Meralco said First Gas/Prime CoreGen's LNG use rose from 24 percent to 44 percent, as the supplier needed imported gas to supplement Malampaya supply.\n\nThe peso depreciated to its lowest level during the period, affecting around 86 percent of First Gas/Prime CoreGen's costs that were dollar denominated at the time. Charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market also increased by P4.3946 per kWh, as average demand in Luzon rose by around 769 megawatts due to warmer temperatures in October 2026, which were warmer than in October 2024, the last El Niño event.\n\n## Meralco's Push for Smart Meters and Profit Growth\n\nMeralco plans to install 280,000 to 420,000 smart meters in 2027, investing up to P4.6 billion as part of its advanced metering infrastructure program approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission, which allocated P33.4 billion for the four-year period, BusinessWorld Online reported in November 2026.\n\nMeralco's core consolidated net income rose 12 percent to P44.8 billion in the first three quarters of 2026 from P40 billion a year earlier, Inquirer reported in October 2026. Sales volume in power generation and retail electricity grew 7 percent to 21,419 GWh and 5,914 GWh, respectively, driven by El Niño cooling demand.\n\nMeralco placed crews on 24-hour standby and inspected key venues in Pasay, Manila, and Makati to ensure reliable power during the ASEAN Summit, BusinessWorld Online reported in November 2026. The company, which serves 8.4 million customers, coordinated with government agencies to minimize power disruptions.\n\n## Meralco's Smart Meter Rollout in 2027\n\nMeralco's planned smart meter installation of 280,000 to 420,000 units is scheduled for 2027 under the program approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission. The company's own [announcements](http://www.meralco.com.ph) cover its distribution services and customer programs.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}