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Top 10 Most Popular FAQs


1.
How is the electricity tariff determined?
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.
2.
Why does the increase/decrease in electricity prices not correspond with the movement in fuel costs?
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.

3.
Why can't the government help households by reducing electricity prices instead of giving U-Save rebates?
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.
4.
How am I billed for my electricity consumption?
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.
5.
When do I need to obtain an electrical installation licence?
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.
6.
How do I apply for an electrical installation licence?
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.
7.
What document(s) are required for the application of an electrical installation 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.
8.
What are the qualifications needed to apply for an electrical worker 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.
9.
What is the Market Development and Systems Charge (MDSC)?

The Energy Market Authority continually seeks to develop the electricity market for the benefit of consumers. These initiatives will enable both commercial and residential electricity consumers to enjoy more competitive electricity prices, increased retail options, and greater price transparency.

An example of such market development initiatives is the Electricity Futures Market, which was launched last April. This has enabled independent retailers with new business models to enter the electricity market offering consumers greater retail choices and price competition. For example, Town Councils have seen their electricity bills come down in new tenders. (Please see Question 2 for more details.) Another example is the opening up of the electricity retail market, known as the Open Electricity Market initiative. All electricity consumers will be able to enjoy more choices and flexibility in their electricity purchase options.

To sustain the rollout of such initiatives to benefit consumers, the Energy Market Authority has renamed the "Retail Market System Related Charges" to "Market Development and Systems Charge" (MDSC). The current MDSC charge is 0.3771 cents/kWh. The MDSC forms part of the Market Support Service charges.
10.
How will the MDSC-funded initiatives benefit consumers?

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.

More competitive pricing

An example is the cost savings that Town Councils have enjoyed because of the emergence of independent electricity retailers (i.e. retailers not linked to generation companies) that the Electricity Futures Market has facilitated. In the Sep 2015 tender results (shown below) for the supply of electricity, 10 Town Councils were able to enjoy 22% discount off SP tariff – an additional 7.5% in savings compared to the most competitive quote from an existing generation company and retailer. This amounts to about $2.1 million savings a year, which will eventually benefit electricity consumers.

Tender in Sep 2015 for Supply of Electricity to East Coast, Holland-Bukit Panjang, Moulmein-Kallang, Nee Soon, Pasir Ris-Punggol, Potong Pasir, Sembawang, Tanjong Pagar, West Coast and Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Councils 
#  Tenderer  Discount % to SP Tariff  Discount (₵/kWh) 
1 Independent retailer A  22 4.5 (1.5 better than best offer from incumbent genco) 
2 Independent retailer B  18 3.7
3 Independent retailer C  17 3.5
4 Existing generation company and retailer D  14.5 3
5 Existing generation company and retailer E  14.1 2.9
6 Existing generation company and retailer F  13.01 2.6
7 Existing generation company and retailer G  8.5 1.7
8 Existing generation company and retailer H  5 1
9 Existing generation company and retailer I  4.95 1
10 Existing generation company and retailer J  3.2 0.7

The benefits of more competitive prices are not only confined to electricity consumers who buy from independent retailers. Due to the competition from the entry of more players, existing generation companies and retailers are also offering greater discounts to customers. This is reflected in their more attractive bids in a subsequent Town Council tender in Nov 2015 (shown below). Hence the Electricity Futures Market brings about benefits to consumers across the board, and not just to those who participate directly in the Electricity Futures Market.

Tender in Nov 2015 for Supply of Electricity to Ang Mo Kio, Chua Chu Kang, Jurong-Clementi, Marine Parade and Tampines Town Councils 
#  Tenderer  Discount % to SP Tariff  Change in discount compared to Sep’15 tender (%)  Discount (₵/kWh) 
1 Independent retailer C  27 10 5.5
2 Existing generation company and retailer F  26.01 13 5.3
3 Independent retailer A  20.88 -1.12 4.2
4 Existing generation company and retailer E  20.2 6.1 4.1
5 Existing generation company and retailer D  20.1 5.6 4.1
6 Existing generation company and retailer H  19 14 3.9
7 Independent retailer B  16.88 -1.12 3.4
8 Existing generation company and retailer I  15 10.05 3.1
9 Existing generation company and retailer G  8.5 0 1.7
10 Existing generation company and retailer J  5.5 2.3 1.1

More choices and flexibility

The Open Electricity Market is an initiative that allows electricity consumers to buy electricity from a retailer at a price plan that best suits their needs. This means consumers get to benefit from competitive pricing and innovative offers from the retailers.

Visit www.openelectricitymarket.sg to find out more about this initiative.


 
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