MANILA -- Power distributor Meralco said Wednesday that the electricity rate for April is likely to go up.

Meralco Spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said higher prices at the wholesale electricity spot market in March as well as transmission's ancillary charges can push the overall rate for April.

Earlier last week, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines announced that March average rates jumped to P5.34/kwh from P2.73/kwh in February following reduced supply and increased demand.

In Luzon, demand for electricity increased by almost 6 percent to 13,670 MW from 12,904 MW in February driven by hotter weather during the first week of March.

According to Zaldarriaga, the refund of P0.20/kwh will likely be overshadowed by the increase in generation and transmission charges.

With the dry season, Meralco also expects higher consumption of electricity, when rates are steep. Initial data showed that peak demand in Luzon rose by more than 1,100 MW in March. Peak demand in February was at 11,344 MW, and 12,467 MW in March.

But this is still far from the projected peak for this year of 14,769 MW, which is expected to happen during the 1st half of May, when temperatures are expected to soar the most.