Energy sales of the electric cooperatives (ECs) nationwide rose by 12 percent in the second quarter of the year amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, latest data from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) showed.
The Second Quarter EC Statistical Report of the NEA Information Technology and Communication Services Department (ITCSD) revealed that the total energy sales of the ECs increased to 5,988 megawatt hours (MWh) during April-June period from 5,337 MWh in the first quarter.
NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said this was due to the 9-percent increase in electricity consumption by the residential sector, from 2,806 MWh in the first quarter to 3,693 MWh in the second quarter.
The pandemic restrictions, however, pushed the energy sales in the commercial sector to fall by 6 percent from 1,165 MWh to 982 MWh; industrial sector, down 3 percent from 1,000 MWh to 957 MWh; and public buildings and other consumers, down 1 percent from 366 MWh to 356 MWh.
While the ECs’ total energy sales increased, the total revenues also went up by 9 percent to P54.074 billion from P49.672 billion in the first quarter.
However, Masongsong said sales and revenues of power cooperatives operating in Aklan, Benguet, Palawan, Bohol, and Siargao Island, which are highly dependent on tourism, fell sharply in the second quarter as a result of community quarantines imposed in these areas to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
NEA data showed the Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO) registered the biggest drop of 20-percent in MWh sales, which is equivalent to P149 million in revenues, while the Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BENECO) also posted a double-digit decline of 18 percent or P145 million loss.
Sales of the Palawan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PALECO) fell 9-percent, or P53 million loss. The Bohol I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BOHECO I), on the other hand, saw a 6-percent decline in sales, or P50 million, while the Siargao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SIARELCO) logged an 8-percent drop in sales or P7 million loss.
To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the Philippines under a state of calamity through Proclamation No. 929 to curb the spread of COVID-19 cases in the country. The President also put the entire island of Luzon under “enhanced community quarantine” on March 16, 2020. ###