Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO) announced a substantial decrease in electricity rates for January 2025, carving a promising start to the new year for consumers in the province.

The overall residential rate dropped to P12.9701 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), down P1.3434 from December’s rate of P14.3135/kWh, according to ORMECO’s latest rate advisory.

Three major factors contributed to the reduction.

First, renewable energy production surged by 13.09%, adding 1,809,672 kWh to the power mix.

Second, emergency power usage plummeted by 64.69%, eliminating the need for 4,553,791 kWh of typically expensive emergency supply.

Third, system losses decreased by 10.37% following enhanced anti-theft measures under the Anti-Electricity Pilferage Act of 1994.

The rate decrease affects all consumer categories, with commercial users now paying P11.8604/kWh, industrial users P11.4697/kWh, and public buildings P11.5814/kWh. Street lighting saw a rate of P13.6715/kWh.

The decline is a turnaround from November 2024’s peak rate of P16.0115/kWh, which was driven by a 24.41% drop in renewable energy production and increased reliance on expensive emergency power providers.

ORMECO says that Calapan City consumers will still incur an additional Business Tax Charge on their bills.

For inquiries, consumers can contact ORMECO through their cooperative email at ormeco_coop@yahoo.com or call their customer service numbers.

Contact: ORMECO, Inc.
Tel: 0917-894-0170 / 0919-098-9700
Email: ormeco_coop@yahoo.com