Electricity Bills to Rise Slightly in April 2026 Due to Transmission Rate Hike
Power consumers across the Philippines may see a slight increase in transmission rates reflected in their April 2026 electricity bills, according to recent data. The overall equivalent average transmission rate for the March 2026 billing period, to be billed by distribution utilities and electric cooperatives this April, has increased by 4.26 percent to P1.7526 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), up from February's P1.6810 per kWh.
Breakdown of Transmission Rate Components
The transmission rate comprises two main components: Ancillary Service (AS) rates and the transmission wheeling rate. Ancillary Service rates, which cover pass-through costs for power supplied by generators during supply-demand imbalances, rose from P0.8275 per kWh in February to P0.8516 per kWh in March. Meanwhile, NGCP's transmission wheeling rate, the fee for delivering power through the transmission grid, slightly increased to P0.7022 per kWh in March from P0.6677 per kWh in February.
NGCP Clarifies Revenue Impact and Priorities
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has emphasized that it does not earn from Ancillary Service charges and does not benefit from any change in AS prices. These costs are remitted directly to generation companies with bilateral contracts with NGCP and to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) for AS sourced from the Reserve Market.
NGCP further clarified that the increase in effective transmission wheeling rates has no impact on its revenue, as the company's allowable revenue is capped by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The bulk of the overall transmission rate still comprises charges for Ancillary Services, NGCP reiterated.
Focus on Grid Resilience
As the system operator, NGCP's priority is to ensure the grid remains resilient during supply-demand imbalances. NGCP does not profit from AS charges, as these are remitted directly to the providers who help maintain the continuous flow of electricity across the country, the company stated. This adjustment aims to support reliable power delivery while adhering to regulatory frameworks.
