Industrial users of electricity are expected to benefit from Meralco’s Peak/Off-Peak Program (POP), recently approved by the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB).
POP will provide an alternative to manufacturers and other heavy users of electricity who were previously part of the Time-of-Use (TOU) and Ecozone Rate programs which expired in December last year.
With the POP program, affordable electricity rate options would be available to customers, especially to heavy users of electricity and thus help them contain cost of production and remain competitive in their business niche.
Eligible to enroll in Meralco’s POP program are non-residential customers with at least 5-kilowatt monthly average demand.
Customers availing of the POP rates are expected to experience savings of up to 10 percent on the average versus regular Meralco rates in their monthly bills provided customers do their part in shifting majority of their usage to off-peak hours.
Utilizing power at off-peak hours also helps the power industry as a whole as it lowers demand at peak periods, resulting in competitive price, according to a Meralco advertorial.
The advertorial further stated that the POP affirms Meralco’s commitment to nation-building and enabling the development of a more robust manufacturing industry.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Philippine Industries welcomed the power company’s initiative to lower power costs for manufacturers through the POP scheme. “It is a boost to industries. The opportunity to lower costs enhances competitiveness,” said FPI Chairman Jesus Lim Arranza.