The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines has announced a slight increase in transmission rates, reflecting the rise in the cost of reserve power. According to company officials, the overall transmission rate increased by 0.77% to P1.4604 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in June's billing period.
The company cited an increase in ancillary services charges, or power reserves deployed by grid operators to support the transmission of power and maintain reliable operations. AS charges rose 10.18% month on month to P0.7955 per kWh in June, reflecting the cost of delivering electricity from power generators to the distribution system.
Transmission wheeling rates, which account for the cost of delivering electricity from power generators to the distribution system, declined 9.79% month on month to P0.5058 per kWh in June. The rates rose 1.07% on Luzon and 1.33% in Mindanao, while rates decreased 1.19% in the Visayas.
The National Grid Corp. emphasized that it does not profit from ancillary services charges, as these are remitted directly to the providers who help maintain the continuous flow of electricity across the country. The company's priority is to ensure the grid remains resilient during supply-demand imbalances.
In light of the recurring yellow alerts in the Visayas, the company's services are heavily dependent on power reserves delivered by suppliers. This highlights the interconnectedness of the power grid and the importance of reliable ancillary services in maintaining a stable supply of electricity.
The National Grid Corp. has assured that it is taking necessary measures to ensure the grid remains operational despite the challenges faced by power plants and suppliers. The company's commitment to providing reliable electricity services to its customers remains unchanged.
