MANILA, Philippines — Consumers may see higher electricity bills this month after wholesale electricity prices surged during the June billing period, reflecting tighter power supply conditions across the country.
Data from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) showed that the average price in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) rose to PHP 5.98 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in June, up from PHP 4.72 per kWh in May. This represents an increase of about 27% month-on-month.
The price spike was attributed to higher demand due to the hot weather and reduced supply from several power plants undergoing maintenance or forced outages. IEMOP noted that the peak demand reached 12,500 megawatts (MW) on June 15, 2026, the highest for the year so far.
Energy officials have assured the public that the government is monitoring the situation and coordinating with power generators to ensure adequate supply. However, consumers are advised to expect higher bills for the June consumption period, which will be reflected in July statements.
