Power consumers may notice a modest increase in their electricity bills this April 2026 due to higher transmission rates, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
Data shows that the overall equivalent average transmission rate for the March 2026 billing period—reflected in April bills—rose by 4.26 percent to PhP1.7526 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), up from PhP1.6810/kWh in February.
A key driver of the increase is the higher cost of Ancillary Services (AS), which are pass-through charges for power supplied by generators during supply-demand imbalances. AS rates climbed from PhP0.8275/kWh in February to PhP0.8516/kWh in March.
The NGCP clarified that it does not earn from AS charges, as these are directly remitted to power generation companies with bilateral agreements and to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines for services sourced from the Reserve Market.
Meanwhile, the transmission wheeling rate—or the cost of delivering electricity through the grid—also posted a slight increase, rising to PhP0.7022/kWh in March from PhP0.6677/kWh in February.
Despite the adjustment, NGCP emphasized that changes in wheeling rates do not impact its revenue, as its allowable earnings are regulated and capped by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
The company reiterated that Ancillary Services continue to account for the largest portion of overall transmission charges.
“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 said.