MANILA - The maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power facility next month could push up electricity generation costs, the Department of Energy said Thursday.

Citing a simulation from the Manila Electric Co., the DOE said the Jan. 28 to Feb. 6 shutdown could result in a P1/kWh increase in the generation charge.

It did not say by how much it would affect electricity bills.

The natural gas plants fueled by Malampaya provide around 40 percent of Meralco's supply requirements. The rest are sourced from generation companies and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.