The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Monday has ordered Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to refund ₱2.64 billion in excess distribution charges collected from customers from January to July 2026.

The refund, equivalent to ₱0.10 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), will be returned to consumers over the next six months, the ERC said.

The regulatory body ordered the refund following a series of true-up reviews, which compared Meralco’s actual revenues and electricity sales with the distribution rates approved by the commission.

Meralco itself sought a review of its potential refund after its actual weighted average tariff reached ₱1.55 per kWh, higher than its approved distribution rate of P1.35 per kWh.

Meralco is expected to issue a separate statement detailing when and how the refunds will be credited to its customers.

(News Update via RH Edniel Parrosa)