Power retailer Manila Electric Co. said Wednesday it forecasts sales volume to grow 8.1 percent in the fourth quarter.
“[We expect] 8.1-percent growth for the end of the year in sales for Meralco DU [distribution utility]. It’s gonna be roughly about 39,600 gigawatt-hours,”Meralco senior vice president and head of customer retail services, corporate marketing and communications Al Panlilio said.
Panlilio said Clark Electric Distribution Corp., a subsidiary, would add roughly 500 gigawattt-hours “so it will exceed the 40,000 gWh, consolidated.”
“I think that is the first time we are breaching 40,000. That’s the estimate. Last year, growth was less than 6 percent,” he said.
Panlilio said the full-year 2016 sales were expected to be higher, after electricity sales rose 10 percent in the first seven months.
“It cooled off in these last few months. If you look at the construction happening on the residential side, still you see a lot of buildings being constructed,” Panlilio said.