Key Takeaway
Meralco's residential rate for September 2026 is ₱14.7424 per kWh, the latest it has announced. It rose from ₱12.95 in January to a high of ₱14.83 in July, and it's about 29% higher than in September 2023 (₱11.40). In October 2026 the ERC also approved a higher Meralco distribution rate. Meralco says it is still reviewing the decision, so it isn't on bills yet.
What is Meralco's rate per kWh now?
Meralco's overall rate for a typical household in September 2026 is ₱14.7424 per kWh, down ₱0.0409 from ₱14.7833 in August. That's the second small cut in a row, after the rate peaked at ₱14.8261 in July.
At this rate, a household using 200 kWh a month pays about ₱2,950, and one using 400 kWh pays about ₱5,900.
Meralco rate per kWh, month by month (2026)
| Month | Rate per kWh | Change | Main reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | ₱12.9508 | −₱0.1637 | Lower transmission charge (lower ancillary service charges) |
| February | ₱13.1734 | +₱0.2226 | Higher transmission charge from higher ancillary service costs |
| March | ₱13.8161 | +₱0.6427 | Higher transmission charge after NGCP's ancillary service charge rose about 70% |
| April | ₱14.3496 | +₱0.5335 | Higher generation charge, mainly from a weaker peso |
| May | ₱14.3345 | −₱0.0151 | A faster ERC-ordered refund offset a higher generation charge |
| June | ₱14.4833 | +₱0.1488 | Higher generation charge: tight Luzon supply after the May red alerts, a weaker peso and higher fuel prices |
| July | ₱14.8261 | +₱0.3428 | Higher generation charge: Malampaya gas maintenance forced plants to use costlier LNG |
| August | ₱14.7833 | −₱0.0428 | A new refund offset higher NGCP charges |
| September | ₱14.7424 | −₱0.0409 | Lower ancillary service charges and taxes offset a higher generation charge |
From January to September, the rate went up by ₱1.79 per kWh, or about 14%. Most of the increase came between February and April, when transmission charges and then generation charges went up.
How much has Meralco's rate gone up since 2023?
Comparing the same month each year shows the bigger picture:
| September of | Rate per kWh | Bill for 200 kWh (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ₱11.3997 | ₱2,280 |
| 2024 | ₱11.7882 | ₱2,358 |
| 2025 | ₱13.0851 | ₱2,617 |
| 2026 | ₱14.7424 | ₱2,948 |
In three years the rate went up by ₱3.34 per kWh, about 29%. For a household using 200 kWh a month, that's about ₱670 more every month, or about ₱8,000 more a year, for the same amount of electricity.
Why does Meralco's rate change every month?
Your bill is made up of several charges. Only one of them goes to Meralco itself:
- Generation charge. The cost of the electricity from power plants and the spot market (WESM). It's the biggest part of the bill and the one that changes most, with fuel prices, the peso and how tight supply is.
- Transmission charge. Paid to the grid operator, NGCP, including ancillary services that keep the grid stable. In early 2026 these charges went up sharply.
- Distribution charge. Meralco's own fee for its lines and meters. It hadn't changed since August 2022 until the ERC approved an increase in October 2026.
- Taxes, universal charges and others. VAT, the universal charges (including the one that subsidizes power on off-grid islands) and other line items.
- Refunds. When the ERC orders Meralco to return money to customers, the refund lowers the rate for several months, as happened in May and August 2026.
What does Meralco's rate mean for solar?
Every kWh of solar power you use at home is a kWh you don't buy from Meralco, so you save the full rate on it. When the rate goes up, so do your savings.
| Solar power used at home | Saved per month at January rate (₱12.95) | Saved per month at September rate (₱14.74) |
|---|---|---|
| 200 kWh a month | ₱2,590 | ₱2,948 |
| 300 kWh a month | ₱3,885 | ₱4,423 |
| 500 kWh a month | ₱6,475 | ₱7,371 |
A solar system covering 300 kWh a month would have saved about ₱38,238 from January to September 2026 at Meralco's actual monthly rates.
Power you send back to the grid under net metering is credited at a lower rate than what you pay, so the savings are biggest when you use your solar power during the day. See how net metering works, and how Meralco compares with other provinces in Electricity Rates in the Philippines by Province.
Want a plan for your own home or business?
Free site visit and a custom proposal. Branches in Makati, Coron, Siargao, Boracay, Dumaguete and Bantayan.
Get Free Solar QuoteCommon questions
What is Meralco's rate per kWh right now?
Meralco's overall residential rate for September 2026 is ₱14.7424 per kWh, down ₱0.0409 from August. The October rate hasn't been announced yet.
Why did Meralco's rate go up so much in 2026?
Mostly because of higher transmission charges early in the year, then higher generation charges from a weaker peso, higher fuel prices and tight supply during the May red alerts. Refunds ordered by the ERC brought the rate down slightly in May, August and September.
When does Meralco announce its new rate?
Usually around the second week of the month. In 2026 the announcements came out between the 10th and 13th of each month.
Will the new Meralco distribution rate raise my bill?
Likely a little. The ERC approved an average distribution rate of ₱1.48 per kWh, up from about ₱1.35. As of October 10, 2026, Meralco said it had yet to receive the full decision and would review it first, so it isn't on bills yet. How much your total rate changes also depends on the other charges that month.
How much can solar save me on Meralco?
Every kWh of solar power you use at home saves you the full rate, about ₱14.74 per kWh in September 2026. A system covering 300 kWh a month saves about ₱4,400 a month at that rate.
Sources
- Meralco power rates drop anew in September
- Lower Rates this August 2026
- Higher Residential Rates this July 2026
- Meralco power rates edge up in June as WESM, fuel prices increase
- Meralco rates up in June
- Lower Residential Rates for May 2026
- Meralco rates dip in May on ERC refund, lower transmission charges
- Meralco raises electricity rates in April
- Higher Residential Rates this March 2026
- Meralco power rate up by P0.64/kWh for March 2026 billing
- Meralco hikes February rates amid higher transmission charges
- Meralco cuts January power rates for second straight month
- Meralco power rate rollback, September 2025
- Higher transmission charge pushes Meralco rates higher in September (2024)
- Meralco rates up in September on higher generation charge (2023)
- Meralco rate hike set for next billing cycle
- With power bills already high, Meralco wins approval to raise own fees after 15 years