Meralco expects higher sales in Q2

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) expects its sales to grow by six to eight percent from April to June, according to chief commercial officer Ferdinand Geluz.

“In fact, for April, we’re seeing around at least eight percent growth and maybe until June, we will grow between six [and] eight percent. That gives us a good first half numbers,” Geluz said.

While Geluz said they are anticipating around 4.7 to six percent sales by year-end, they are also expecting a “tempered” growth by the third quarter due to La Niña, which initially alleviates demand for energy.

“They (sales) swing in terms of temperature as a variable, but all in all, I think we’re looking at a very good year now in terms of sales,” Geluz said.

The power utility reported that its consolidated distribution utility energy sales went up to 12,307 gigawatt-hours (gwh) in the first quarter from last year’s 11,287 gwh due to increased volumes of Meralco and Clark Electric Distribution Corp. by nine and seven percent, respectively.

Moreover, the sales volume growth was attributed to higher temperature, as an approximate 2.5 gwh of consumption per day is noted for every degree rise.

Meanwhile, the commercial segment is recorded to have the biggest share in the energy sales mix with 38 percent.

Commercial sales volume increased by 11 percent to 4,678 gwh, from 4,213 in the same quarter last year.

Residential and industrial sectors accounted for 34 and 28 percent in the energy sales mix, respectively.

Residential sales increased by 12 percent to 4,144 gwh from 3,701 gwh due to “prolonged usage of cooling appliances at home as the dry spells associated with El Niño persisted.”

Likewise, industrial sales also inched up by 3 percent to 3,448 gwh from 3,336 gwh.

By end-March, Meralco‘s consolidated customer count went up by three percent to 7.9 million.