There are two key components of the electricity tariff: fuel cost and non-fuel cost.

The fuel cost component for each quarter is calculated using the average of daily natural gas prices in the first two-and-a-half month period in the preceding quarter.

The non-fuel cost component reflects the cost of generating and delivering electricity to homes. It comprises mainly the grid charge, and the capital and operating costs of generation companies.

The fuel cost component of the electricity tariff for each quarter is calculated based on the average of daily natural gas prices in the first two-and-a-half month period in the preceding quarter.

Consequently, there is a time lag in the gas price reflected in the electricity tariff because changes in gas prices in the current quarter will only be taken into account in the next quarter's tariff. This means that any increase or decrease in gas prices in the current quarter will be reflected in next quarter's tariff.

In Singapore, the price of electricity is not subsidised. This is to price energy correctly so that consumers are incentivised to use electricity efficiently and avoid wasteful consumption.

The Government recognises that there are households which may face difficulties coping with the rising cost of utilities, and is ready to help them. In this regard, the Government assists HDB households with their utilities bills payment through the Utilities-Save (U-Save) scheme, with higher amounts of rebates going to lower-income households.

Electricity meters are read bi-monthly. On those months when the meters are not read, your electricity usage will be estimated based on your past consumption. Any over or under estimation of the bill will be adjusted in subsequent bills when the meter reading is taken.

If your meter is located inside your premises, SP Services' meter readers will need to access your premises to read the meter.

If meter readers are unable to access your premises to take the meter readings, you will be given a "Door Lock Card" providing details to guide you in submitting your meter readings.

If you wish to submit your meter readings, you can do so via the following methods:

i. SP Services website (http://www.spservices.com.sg)
ii. SP Services' smartphone app
iii. Interactive Voice Response system (1800-2222-333)
iv. SMS MRSUBM to "98374797".

The Interactive Voice Response system also allows you to arrange for an appointment to read your meters to avoid being billed on estimates for a prolonged period.

Your utilities usage will be an estimation if SP Services did not receive your meter readings. Until SP Services' meter readers can record your meter readings, you will be billed based on your estimated usage.

You may also refer to the FAQs on SP Services' website if you wish to learn more about meter readings and bill estimation.

You are required to obtain an electrical installation licence when you use or operate an electrical installation of approved load exceeding 45 kilo volt ampere (kVA) for non-residential purposes.

Electrical installations in premises used for hazardous trades, irrespective of their approved loads, are also required to be licensed. Examples of premises used for hazardous trades include garages for painting motor vehicles, wood-working or saw-milling, petrol stations, paints and petroleum products, and temporary supply where building operations or works of engineering construction are being carried out.

You are required to appoint a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) of the appropriate class to take charge of the electrical installation.

Your appointed LEW will then submit the licence application online via ELISE. You may check on the status of your licence application at ELISE using the application reference number provided during the online submission.

Your appointed LEW will be notified of the approval and he must provide you with a copy of the electrical installation licence within 7 working days of receiving the licence.

You have to appoint a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW), by signing a Letter of Appointment (LOA), to take charge of your electrical installation.

Your appointed LEW will then inspect and certify the fitness of the electrical installation, and apply via an online application to EMA together with the signed LOA for the licence.

There are three classes of electrical worker licences, namely: Electrician Licence, Electrical Technician Licence and Electrical Engineer Licence.

Electrician Licence

Applicants of the electrician's licence must:

• Hold a National Institute of Technical Education Certificate. Its course of study must be relevant to the electrical work which an electrician is authorised to perform or such other qualifications as may be acceptable to the Authority, and has at least two years' of practical experience in Singapore relevant to the electrical work which an electrician is authorised to perform; or


• Have at least 10 years' of practical experience in Singapore relevant to the electrical work which an electrician is authorised to perform.

Electrical Technician Licence

Applicants of the electrical technician's licence must:

• hold a diploma majoring in electrical power engineering relevant to the electrical work which an electrical technician is authorised to perform or such other qualifications as may be acceptable to the Authority; and


• Have at least two years' of practical experience in Singapore relevant to the electrical work which an electrical technician is authorised to perform.

Electrical Engineer Licence

Applicants of the electrical engineer's licence must:

• Be a registered professional engineer in electrical engineering under the Professional Engineers Act (Cap. 253); and


• Have at least two years' of post-graduate experience in Singapore in electrical power engineering relevant to the electrical work which an electrical engineer is authorised to perform.
  

The Energy Market Authority continually seeks to develop the electricity market and introduce new market development initiatives to bring benefits to consumers such as the Open Electricity Market.

The Market Development and Systems Charge (MDSC), which forms part of the Market Support Service charges, is intended to support the development and implementation of such initiatives. The MDSC* effective from 1 April 2021 will be:

• 1 Apr 2021 – 30 Jun 2021: 0.5271 cent/kWh
• 1 Jul 2021 – 30 Sep 2021: 0.6771 cent/kWh
• 1 Oct 2021 – 31 Dec 2021: 0.8271 cent/kWh
• 1 Jan 2022 – 31 Mar 2022: 0.9771 cent/kWh 

* Payable by Contestable Customers i.e. consumers who do not pay for electricity based on the regulated tariff, charges exclude prevailing GST 

The MDSC will support a range of market development initiatives, such as the Electricity Futures Market and the Open Electricity Market. These initiatives will benefit consumers by bringing about competitive pricing and more choices.

For instance, the Open Electricity Market (www.openelectricitymarket.sg) allows consumers to buy electricity from a retailer of their choice, at a price plan that best meets their needs. Empowering consumers with this choice and flexibility in their electricity purchases have incentivised retailers to provide more competitive pricing and innovative offers. There are retailers who offer various types of price plans ranging from green energy options to those with tie-ups with other service providers such as telecommunications companies, insurance companies and banks.

The introduction of the Electricity Futures Market has facilitated the entry of several independent retailers and further injected competition in the retail electricity market to the benefit of consumers.