Phl electricity rates still highest in SE Asia

Philippine power rates remain one of the highest in Southeast Asia as of end-2016 due to continued lack of government subsidies, latest Department of Energy (DOE) data showed.

Based on the Power Development Plan 2017 to 2040 released yesterday, the country’s power rates are among the highest in the region, at par with the level in Singapore.

In terms of electricity rates to industries, both countries have rates of P5.84 per kilowatt-hour (kwh).

But in terms of commercial and household rates, the Philippines has the highest at P7.49 per kwh and P8.90 per kwh, respectively.

Singapore, on the other hand, has a uniform rate of P7.27 per kwh for both commercial and household.

In its report, the DOE said a major reason for the higher prices is the absence of government subsidies.

“Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia arguably have subsidies. In addition, taxes, fees, and other charges are also levied on the power industry sectors composed of the generation, transmission, and distribution levels which constitute a portion on electricity rates in the Philippines,” it said.

However, the DOE said this allows for greater transparency in unbundling the items that comprise overall electricity rates.

“In view of this, greater transparency of having reasonablypriced electricity rates through

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