August Electricity Bills Expected to Rise Amid Higher NGCP Transmission Charges

NEWS | Power consumers nationwide are facing a potential increase in their electricity bills this August due to climbing transmission costs. According to a press release by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the equivalent average transmission rate for the July 2026 billing period—which will be charged to consumers this month—rose by 22.22% to ₱1.7560 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), up from ₱1.4367/kWh in June.

The grid operator explained that the primary driver behind the rate spike is a 30.85% jump in ancillary service charges. These pass-through costs, which are used to secure power reserves and ensure grid stability during supply-demand imbalances, increased from ₱0.7941/kWh to ₱1.0391/kWh.

The NGCP clarified that it does not profit from the ancillary service adjustments, as these collections are remitted directly to generation companies providing the reserves. While distribution utilities and electric cooperatives have yet to finalize the exact impact on total household bills, the NGCP has advised consumers to practice energy-saving habits to manage upcoming costs.