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Control and Protection of Generator and Turbines.pdfhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:66c69980-4c69-432b-bb10-8f1f07659dd2/Control%20and%20Protection%20of%20Generator%20and%20Turbines.pdf
Singapore Institute of Power and Gas Control and Protection of Generator and Turbines Course Code: EPG09 COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: • Understand the Governing system purpose and definition in power generation plant • Understand the basic control & protection principles of Steam & Gas Turbine and Generators • Apply the recommended operational, testing practices for power plants major equipments • Understand the fundamentals of protection systems implemented in various power plants MAIN CONTENTS • Governing System Purpose & Definition • Types of governors, Low & High Pressure systems • Types of Electronic Controllers (PLC/DCS etc.) • Main Equipment Controls & Interlocks (Typical) • Gas Turbines • Steam Turbines • Generators • Main Equipment Protections (Hydraulic & Electrical) • Gas Turbines • Steam Turbines • Generators • GT & ST Safety Systems • ST Stop & Control Valves and Actuators (Typical) • NEMA Class C & D Governors • Purpose of Droop (% of regulation) and its influence on Electrical Network (Grid) • Load / Speed hunting and Valve Chattering • Governor Deadband / Sensitivity • Effect of Hydrogen purity on Windage losses METHODOLOGY Lecture and case studies TARGET AUDIENCE Engineers & Technical staff who wish to understand controls & protections in power generation plants COURSE DETAILS Duration : 14 hours Mode of Delivery : Face-to-Face Certification : SIPG Certificate of Completion PDU by PE Board : Pending Singapore Institute of Power and Gas Pte Ltd UEN: 201427065Z 2 Kallang Sector, Singapore 349277 Ver 4.0_0523 Singapore Institute of Power and Gas COURSE FEES Full Course Fee : S$1,400 (before GST) For Singapore Citizens/PR/LTVP+* : S$420 (before GST) For Singapore Citizens (40 years old and above) ADDITIONAL REMARKS : S$140 (before GST) • Trainee must attain at least 75% attendance rate and pass the assessment to receive Certificate of Completion and funding grant (if applicable). • Subsidy of up to 70% is applicable for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents or Long-Term Visitor Pass Plus (LTVP+) Holders, subject to funding agency’s approval. • Enhanced subsidy of up to 90% is applicable for Singapore Citizens aged 40 years and above, subject to funding agency’s approval. Note that GST payable will be computed from fee after 70% funding. • Professional Development Unit (PDU) is applicable for Professional Engineers registered under the Professional Engineers (PE) Board only. • All published fees are subject to prevailing GST. CONTACT US For more information, please contact SIPG at +65 6916 7930 or email training-institute@spgroup.com.sg. OTHER SIPG COURSES For more courses, visit our website at: https://www.spgroup.com.sg/about-us/training or Scan the QR code below: Singapore Institute of Power and Gas Pte Ltd UEN: 201427065Z 2 Kallang Sector, Singapore 349277 Ver 4.0_0523
[20210331] Media Release - Electricity Tariff Revision For The Period 1 April to 30 June 2021https://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/spgroup/wcm/connect/spgrp/b26e82e9-75a2-4df4-8782-7da40db0c086/%5B20210331%5D+Media+Release+-+Electricity+Tariff+Revision+For+The+Period+1+April+to+30+June+2021.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
Cents/kWh MEDIA RELEASE ELECTRICITY TARIFF REVISION FOR THE PERIOD 1 APRIL TO 30 JUNE 2021 Singapore, 31 March 2021 – For the period from 1 April to 30 June 2021, electricity tariff (before 7% GST) will increase by an average of 8.7% or 1.77 cents per kWh compared with the previous quarter. This is mainly due to higher cost of fuel for producing electricity by the power generation companies. For details on the four components of the electricity tariff, please refer to Appendix 1: Breakdown of Electricity Tariff. For households, the electricity tariff (before 7% GST) will increase from 20.76 to 22.55 cents per kWh for 1 April to 30 June 2021. The average monthly electricity bill for families living in HDB four-room flats will increase by $5.62 (before 7% GST) (Appendix 3: Average monthly electricity bills of domestic consumers). 30.00 Quarterly Household Electricity Tariff* 25.00 20.00 24.22 23.43 24.24 23.02 19.60 21.43 20.76 22.55 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 Jul - Sep 19 Oct - Dec 19 Jan - Mar 20 Apr - Jun 20 Jul - Sep 20 Oct - Dec 20 Jan - Mar 21 Apr - Jun 21 *before 7% GST SP Group reviews the electricity tariffs every quarter based on guidelines set by the electricity industry regulator, Energy Market Authority (EMA). The tariffs shown in Appendix 2 have been approved by the EMA. Issued by: SP Group 2 Kallang Sector Singapore 349277 www.spgroup.com.sg Appendix 1 BREAKDOWN OF ELECTRICITY TARIFF 1. The electricity tariff consists of the following four components: a) Energy costs (paid to the generation companies): This component is adjusted quarterly to reflect changes in the cost of fuel and power generation. The fuel cost is the cost of imported natural gas, which is tied to oil prices by commercial contracts. The cost of power generation covers mainly the costs of operating the power stations, such as the manpower and maintenance costs, as well as the capital cost of the stations. b) Network costs (paid to SP Group): This is to recover the cost of transporting electricity through the power grid. c) Market Support Services Fee (paid to SP Group): This is to recover the costs of billing and meter reading, data management, retail market systems as well as for market development initiatives. d) Market Administration and Power System Operation Fee (paid to Energy Market Company and Power System Operator): This fee is reviewed annually to recover the costs of operating the electricity wholesale market and power system. Q2 2021 TARIFF (before 7% GST) Market Admin & PSO Fee (No Change) 0.06¢/kWh (<1%) MSS Fee (No Change) 0.40¢/kWh (1.8%) Network %) Costs (Increase by 0.33¢/kWh) 5.77¢/kWh (25.6%) Energy Costs (Increase by 1.46¢/kWh) 16.32¢/kWh (72.4%) ELECTRICITY TARIFFS FROM 1 APRIL 2021 LOW TENSION SUPPLIES, DOMESTIC All units, ¢/kWh LOW TENSION SUPPLIES, NON-DOMESTIC All units, ¢/kWh HIGH TENSION SMALL (HTS) SUPPLIES Contracted Capacity Charge $/kW/month Uncontracted Capacity Charge $/chargeable kW/month kWh charge, ¢/kWh Peak period (7.00am to 11.00pm) Off-peak period (11.00pm to 7.00am) Reactive power Charge ¢/chargeable kVARh HIGH TENSION LARGE (HTL) SUPPLIES Contracted Capacity Charge $/kW/month Uncontracted Capacity Charge $/chargeable kW/month kWh charge, ¢/kWh Peak period (7.00am to 11.00pm) Off-peak period (11.00pm to 7.00am) Reactive power Charge ¢/chargeable kVARh EXTRA HIGH TENSION (EHT) SUPPLIES Contracted Capacity Charge $/kW/month Uncontracted Capacity Charge $/chargeable kW/month kWh charge, ¢/kWh Peak period (7.00am to 11.00pm) Off-peak period (11.00pm to 7.00am) Reactive power Charge ¢/chargeable kVARh Existing Tariff (without GST) New Tariff (without 7% GST) Appendix 2 New Tariff (with 7% GST) 20.76 22.55 24.13 20.76 22.55 24.13 8.90 10.90 11.66 13.35 16.35 17.49 17.88 19.54 20.91 11.20 11.85 12.68 0.59 0.59 0.63 8.90 10.90 11.66 13.35 16.35 17.49 17.66 19.32 20.67 11.19 11.84 12.67 0.59 0.59 0.63 7.87 9.33 9.98 11.81 14.00 14.98 16.81 18.42 19.71 11.11 11.74 12.56 0.48 0.48 0.51 AVERAGE MONTHLY ELECTRICITY BILLS OF DOMESTIC CUSTOMERS TARIFF WEF 1 APRIL 2021 (before 7% GST) Appendix 3 Types of Premises Average monthly consumption per Customer Average Monthly Bill New Average Monthly Bill Average Change in Monthly Bill kWh $(a) $(b) $(b-a) % HDB 1 Room 120.72 25.06 27.22 2.16 8.6 HDB 2 Room 159.38 33.09 35.94 2.85 8.6 HDB 3 Room 227.30 47.19 51.26 4.07 8.6 HDB 4 Room 313.88 65.16 70.78 5.62 8.6 HDB 5 Room 364.22 75.61 82.13 6.52 8.6 HDB Executive 441.10 91.57 99.47 7.90 8.6 Apartment 447.01 92.80 100.80 8.00 8.6 Terrace 723.98 150.30 163.26 12.96 8.6 Semi-Detached 972.75 201.94 219.36 17.42 8.6 Bungalow 1,929.76 400.62 435.16 34.54 8.6 Average 347.74 72.19 78.41 6.22 8.6
jcr:3589a84c-46c0-4af0-897e-3c3efe7b3f44https://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:3589a84c-46c0-4af0-897e-3c3efe7b3f44
B4 | INSIGHT | THE STRAITS TIMES | SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2024 | | SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2024 | THE STRAITS TIMES | INSIGHT | B5 Steps to ensure economy continues humming A wide range of productivity and workforce measures has been taken or mooted for Singapore to adequately address the complex challenges it faces. Helping more to 1join the workforce, and remain for longer Several measures are already in place or set to kick in, with the overarching goal of spurring more Singapore workers to join the workforce and stay in it for longer. These include: RAISING THE RETIREMENT AGE Singapore has been raising the limits as it moves the nation towards a retirement age of 65 and a re-employment age of 70 by 2030. The shift, which was first announced in 2019, will be done in stages. The retirement age is currently 63, and the re-employment age 68, after the first increase in July 2022. The next jump, to ages 64 and 69 is set for July 2026. Population expert Jean Yeung said a higher retirement age will add to numbers in the resident labour force, compensating for the decline in residents aged 20 to 64 in the labour force. The need for a larger nest egg with longer life expectancies, the health benefits of working as an older adult, and the value of those aged 60 to 65 in the labour market provide further impetus to raise the retirement age, she added. Revised Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution rates and various bonuses under the Majulah Package and the SkillsFuture Level- Up Programme, with SkillsFuture Credit top-ups and a training allowance for select upskilling programmes, are among support measures that have been introduced for mid-career and older workers. One senior worker who intends to continue working, even ahead of the upcoming changes, is Mr Chua Bee Kim, 71. He currently works on prototypes of automation solutions for UOB as a gig worker through the bank’s Gig+U initiative. Mr Chua worked full-time at UOB as a credit approver from age 50 to 69, before retiring in June 2022, and subsequently took up his current gig in January 2023. He said: “The good thing is it allows me to stay connected to UOB, and allows me to further improve my Excel (spreadsheet) skills because there’s always something new that comes up.” His five decades of work experience have given him a front-seat view of Singapore’s productivity growth from its days as a fledgling nation. In the most recent example, he noted that over his full-time employment with UOB from 2004 to 2022, the approval time of complex loans has at least halved as applicant checks became increasingly automated. FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS Flexible work arrangements are another key move to improve labour participation by tapping those in under-represented segments who might otherwise not be able to join the labour force, such as caregivers. This is one main aim of the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests that the work group behind it highlighted in April. Under the guidelines, all employers here must fairly consider formal requests by employees for these arrangements. The work group, which consists of government, employer and labour movement representatives, hopes that the guidelines will increase the share of employers that provide at least one flexi-work arrangement from the 68 per cent recorded in 2023. This comes as the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) labour force survey data indicated that housework and caregiving remained common reasons for being outside the labour force, making up 23.8 per cent of this group in 2023. PLATFORM WORK Platform work is another option that could well improve labour force participation, with a model of work beyond regular employment that could appeal to various groups of people. Official data points at a general rise in the number of resident regular platform workers, from 56,000 in 2016 to 70,500 in 2023, though the share of total resident employment they accounted for in 2023 was similar to the pre-Covid-19 years of 2016 to 2019. Those who prefer platform work to their previous occupation, and those who are committed to such work as a good source of income are among two distinct groups of platform workers the Digital Platforms Industry Association (DPIA) identified in an August 2023 survey. The association, which counts major operators Deliveroo, foodpanda and Grab as its members, was set up in 2022 to shape industry practices. DPIA said: “Depending on how platform workers themselves seek to fit platform work into their lives, it is for them to decide if platform work is a form of interim or longerterm employment.” It added that its member operators support the aspirations platform workers have, and help is tailored to workers’ preferences. For instance, those who wish to develop their skills in the hope of moving on to full-time employment can take up educational and upskilling programmes. However, Associate Professor Walter Theseira of the Singapore University of Social Sciences said the effect of platform work on the labour force and productivity – and hence economic growth potential – is mixed. “Platform work can increase labour force participation and options for workers, but can also reduce the quality of jobs.” Prof Theseira, a transport and labour economist, added: “The concern is that platform work, especially for younger workers at the start of their career, as well as midcareer workers who are retrenched, can trap workers. “Specifically, platform work is easy to enter, and (can offer) relatively good take-home pay due to not having benefits or CPF deductions.” CPF payments will be made mandatory for platform workers who are aged below 30 from late 2024. But in 2023, only 7.2 per cent of resident regular primary platform workers – those for whom platform work was their main source of livelihood – were aged below 30. Employers could also reduce their full-time workforce in favour of gig workers to cut costs, reducing the number of available fulltime jobs with solid career progression, Prof Theseira said. The cost to productivity due to workers who could have taken up higher-skilled jobs with more progression being diverted to platform work may outweigh the benefits of any increased labour force participation platform work enables, he added. “It is good to encourage people whom the traditional employment model doesn’t always fit – like caregivers, retirees, persons with disabilities – to work on platforms, but it’s not good if these jobs are taken up instead of regular employment, especially if the worker would prefer regular employment,” he said. In 2023, more than 89 per cent of resident regular primary platform workers MOM polled indicated they were platform workers by choice. Mr Muhammad Ariff, 42, has been a platform deliveryman since 2019, and the gig has been his main livelihood since 2020. Previously a full-time lift engineer, Mr Ariff, who requested that only his first name be used, decided to become a full-time platform worker after his maid left for her home country during the pandemic. This enabled him to care for his three children, aged six to 18. “I was on standby 24 hours a day for my previous work, and there’d be emergency calls for me to resolve things when I was out with my family... it didn’t give me satisfaction because I want to see my kids grow up,” he added. However, as much as the arrangement works for him, he is worried about those fresh out of school or national service committing to full-time platform work for the long haul. “People of our age have already... built up (our) CPF from past employment, probably secured housing, and most things are settled down.” Mr Ariff also said he is considering taking up a data analytics course to prepare for a potential return to full-time work, as such digital skills are applicable to and desirable for a wide range of jobs. STAYING CONNECTED The good thing is it allows me to stay connected to UOB, and allows me to further improve my Excel (spreadsheet) skills because there’s always something new that comes up. ”MR CHUA BEE KIM, 71, on his gig with UOB after retirement. Mr Chua Bee Kim receiving a long-service award in 2016 from Ms Chia Siew Cheng, UOB’s credit head, personal financial services. Mr Chua worked full-time at the bank as a credit approver from 2004 to 2022. He took up his current gig in UOB in January 2023. PHOTO: UOB A workforce of 2local globals and global locals Apart from increasing the options available for workers to ensure greater participation in the resident labour force, Singapore is seeking to create a more complementary foreign workforce that can speed up productivity growth through their talent, all while increasing the size of the overall labour force. The push to provide overseas exposure opportunities to groom Singaporeans for global roles based back here at home is intensifying as well. FOREIGN WORKFORCE MEASURES Labour economist Kelvin Seah said foreign workers may contribute to growth in different ways, depending on their skill levels. For instance, higher-skilled foreigners, like Employment Pass holders, may contribute to growth by bringing innovation. Meanwhile, lower-skilled foreigners, like work permit holders, could contribute by augmenting resident labour in short supply in sectors such as construction. Dr Seah, who is a senior lecturer with the National University of Singapore, said it is possible for easy access to a foreign workforce to undercut the effectiveness or uptake HOBBY, JOB COME TOGETHER I feel it is a real privilege to get to do something that I love for work. ”MR MUHAMMAD SHAMIL ABU BAKAR, 43, who had been a drone hobbyist for three years before he was sent for training in 2022 to become a certified drone pilot for building inspections. Mr Muhammad Shamil Abu Bakar is one of nine technicians in utilities provider SP Group’s facilities management team who were sent to be trained as certified drone pilots for building inspections. PHOTO: SP GROUP of policies to improve resident workforce participation and productivity. He added that displacement of resident labour as a result of foreign labour can be measured, with sufficient public data. Jointly responding to Insight’s queries, MOM and the Ministry of Trade and Industry said that building a strong economy requires a world-class talent pool in Singapore. “This means building a complementary local-foreign workforce that can work together to enlarge the economic pie,” they said. “As a small country, we are selective about the quality of foreign professionals that we take in.” However, on measuring how the presence of foreign professionals has benefited the local workforce via skills transfer, the ministries said the process of skills transfer is complex, non-linear and therefore impractical to measure. “Skills transfer can take place through structured training, mentorship, exposure to different industries and markets, or overseas attachments and postings.” However, they added that the Government also facilitates skills transfer through programmes such as Workforce Singapore’s Capability Transfer Programme, which has benefited more than 140 companies and more than 1,000 Singaporeans. OVERSEAS EXPOSURE The Government is equally committed to helping Singaporeans achieve their career aspirations and potential, the ministries said. “For local talent, we are looking at how we can develop and nurture more Singaporeans for corporate leadership roles, especially in companies that leverage Singapore as a regional or global business hub.” These companies must have the ability to select and appoint their top leaders based on merit to stay competitive globally, they added. The ministries said: “Based on our engagements with businesses, employers that operate in multiple regions value employees with regional or global experience who can navigate overseas markets effectively, manage culturally diverse teams across countries, and support business expansion abroad. “These skills and knowledge cannot be acquired through training alone but must be honed through actual overseas postings.” That is why the ministries hope to empower more Singaporeans to compete globally for top jobs that drive Singapore’s next wave of innovation and growth through equipping them with relevant overseas work experience. But they added: “Even as we encourage more Singaporeans to venture on these overseas postings for their careers, they must be self-motivated to take on these challenges, be it in their 20s when they are likely to have fewer familial responsibilities, or in their 30s or 40s when they may have settled down and started families.” 3 Job redesign Another part of Singapore’s push lies in job redesign. Job redesign broadly means altering work processes and job tasks to unlock higher-skilled jobs with more room for wage and productivity growth that existing workers can be trained for. Jobs may also be redesigned to better accommodate flexi-work, which in turn increases the likelihood that those outside of the labour force can take up these jobs. Mr Aslam Sardar, chief executive of the Institute for Human Resource Professionals, said that new skills employees learn for these jobs help them stay relevant. “There is often a misconception that job redesign is a targeted move to reduce headcount, or tends to apply only to lower-skilled workers, or both,” he said, adding that firms may not know how to redesign jobs. However, he noted that support is available for companies keen to redesign jobs, such as the Support for Job Redesign under Productivity Solutions Grant administered by the Singapore National Employers Federation. Mr Sardar also said roles that involve repetitive or manual tasks are particularly suited to be redesigned at relatively low cost. These include administrative, customer service and production roles. One company that has successfully redesigned jobs in a way that saves costs, upskills workers and improves efficiency is SP Group. Mr Muhammad Shamil Abu Bakar, 43, is one of nine technicians in the utilities provider’s facilities management team who were sent to be trained as certified drone pilots for building inspections. Previously, building inspections had to be conducted with the help of contractors. It was a process that could take three to four days, involving both heavy equipment like boom lifts and trained rope access workers. Now, weather permitting, an industrial drone is used for inspections and the job can be completed in a day. The drone also gives a better view of hard-to-reach areas. Mr Shamil, who had already been a drone hobbyist for three years before he took up training in 2022, said: “I feel it is a real privilege to get to do something that I love for work.” 4 Training moves Even as Singapore positions itself to grow its workforce and productivity at once, concerns inevitably emerge about who is left behind. One way the Republic has sought to ensure that lower-wage workers can also benefit from growth is through the Progressive Wage Model. The model is a wage ladder with pay rises pegged to training and productivity, and it is already in place for seven sectors and two occupations. The labour movement has also stepped in, most notably through advocating the formation of company training committees. Employers form these committees with unions to map out the skills workers need given business and industry prospects, guided by the National Trades Union Congress. There are now more than 2,100 of them, according to the latest update by NTUC chief Ng Chee Meng during May Day festivities on May1. Industry experts say looking further ahead, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to shake up the labour market. Some commentators have called for a tax on AI usage in the light of potential job displacement. But Assistant Professor Vincent Ooi of the Singapore Management University said that any tax on AI usage should only be used to slow down the rate of job displacement, to enable employees to undergo training and to give the economy time to find new roles for them. The tax expert, however, added that Singapore already has strong, sufficiently funded systems in place to support displaced workers and retrain them, and that attempts to tax AI usage may make the Republic less attractive as a place to do business. Likewise, Associate Professor Terence Ho of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy said that given Singapore’s slowing workforce growth and significant manpower needs as the population ages, AI could be seen as a boon to help alleviate manpower shortage, rather than a threat to employment level. “The key is to anticipate and address the risks of job displacement in particular sectors and occupations, and to improve the overall matching of skills with jobs.” Tay Hong Yi
Microsoft Word - SP Contractor Portal User Guide (External)_v0.1.docxhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:a13b4f2f-73a4-4812-8e0a-ea47839156fa/SP%20Contractor%20Portal%20User%20Guide.pdf
SP Contractor Portal User Guide 1 .............................................................................................. 1 SP CONTRACTOR PORTAL USER GUIDE .......................................................... 1 1. Accessing the portal .................................................................................................................................... 3 2. Register for an account .............................................................................................................................. 3 3. APPLYING FOR RES ...................................................................................................................................... 8 4. APPLYING FOR REO .................................................................................................................................. 15 5. Applying for NCE ........................................................................................................................................ 22 6. APPLYING FOR NCD .................................................................................................................................. 31 7. APPLYING FOR DRAWINGS/PLAN REQUESTS .................................................................................. 35 8. APPLYING FOR JOINTER PASS ............................................................................................................... 40 9. APPLYING FOR CONTRACTOR PASS .................................................................................................... 42 10. PAYMENTS .............................................................................................................................................. 48 11. RESUMING A PAUSED APPLICATION ............................................................................................. 49 2 1. Accessing the portal Navigate to [Production URL] in your browser. Recommended Browsers: Latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari 2. Register for an account Click on Register. Fill in the required details. 3 If you are a freelancer, or do not have a company, be sure to check the box at the bottom of the form. If you are applying on behalf of a company, provide the name of the company and company registration number. 4 Provide any required documents e.g. Authorization Letter from Company. Select a file, then click Upload Attachment. Upon successful upload, a message will be shown. 5 Click Next to complete your registration. Check your email provided earlier, for the acknowledgement. SP Group will process your application. Once approved, you will receive the following email: 6 Click on here link to go to the Portal and complete your registration. You will be asked to set your security questions and answers (all fields are mandatory) for account recovery, and a new password (at least 8 characters with 1 letter and 1 number). 7 Once successful, you will be shown the Contractor Portal landing page. 3. APPLYING FOR RES Click on Apply for NCE on the main page or Apply for NCE from the NCE dropdown list. 8 The RES application screen will appear. You will require the following information: • One recent Passport Sized Photograph with white background • Personal Particulars of Applicant • Applicant's Last 4 characters of NRIC (e.g. 123X) • Applicant's Birthdate • Employment Records • Certificate of Achievement for Registered Earthworks Supervisor Course from SIPG or • Certificate of Successful Completion ("CSC") for Registered Earthworks Supervisor Course from BCA or • Certificate of Successful Completion ("CSC") for Registered Earthworks Supervisor Course from SCAL Academy and • Letter from employer stating minimum of 2 years site supervisory experience • Fit for Work Certification from a Doctor (for applicants above 65 years old) 9 Select the application type. For Renewal/Replacement, an existing RES number (e.g. 789X01/01/1950) must be provided. The system will determine if this is a renewal or replacement application, based on the expiry date of the existing pass. Enter the necessary details and click next to proceed to the next screen. Details marked with a * are mandatory and cannot be left blank. 10 You may pause the application by pressing on the Pause button, when it is available. You will be asked to enter a description to help you remember why you paused the application. See section RESUMING A PAUSED APPLICATION on how to resume a paused application. 11 In the File Upload screen, please provide a passport photo and supporting documents. Allowed file types are PDF, JPG, PNG. You can drag the frame to fit the photo in the frame. Press Crop & Save to ensure the photo is saved. All files are mandatory. You will not be allowed to proceed until all files are provided. Press Done when the upload of each file is complete, to attach them to the application. 12 At the summary page, review your entries and ensure you mark the checkbox, agreeing to the declaration and terms and conditions of the application. You will then be given an application number, which you can refer to when enquiring about the status of your application. Click Next to proceed with payment. 13 You will be allowed to select any transaction that is unpaid, before being redirected to Cybersource for payment. SP Contractor Portal accepts Visa or Mastercard payment. Enter your credit card details in the secured page and upon successful payment, you will be redirected back to the SP Contractor Portal and be shown the 14 payment page. You may obtain a copy of the receipt by clicking on Receipt in the Notes and Attachments section. 4. APPLYING FOR REO Click on Apply for REO in the main page or Apply for REO from the REO dropdown list. The REO application screen will appear. You will require the following information: • One recent Passport Sized Photograph with white background 15 • Personal Particulars of Applicant • Applicant's Last 4 characters of NRIC (e.g. 123X) • Applicant's Birthdate • Employment Records • Certificate of Training for Underground Services Detection Course from SP PowerGrid Ltd / Certificate of Attendance for Underground Services Detection Course from SP TCC or • Certificate of Successful Completion ("CSC") / Skills Evaluation Certificate (Knowledge) ("SEC (K)") for Construction Plant Operator / Hydraulic Excavator Operation Course from BCA and • Coretrade Registration Statement with Hydraulic Excavator Operation Result Slip from BCA • Fit for Work Certification from a Doctor (for applicants above 65 years old) Select the application type. 16 For Renewal/Replacement, an existing REO number (e.g. 789X01/01/1950) must be provided. The system will determine if this is a renewal or replacement application, based on the expiry date of the existing pass. Enter the necessary details and click Next to proceed to the next screen. Details marked with a * are mandatory and cannot be left blank. 17 You may pause the application by pressing on the Pause button when it is available. You will be asked to enter a description to help you remember why you paused the application. See section RESUMING A PAUSED APPLICATION on how to resume a paused application. In the File Upload screen, please provide a passport photo and supporting documents. Allowed file types are PDF, JPG, PNG. 18 You can drag the frame to fit the photo in the frame. Press Crop & Save to ensure the photo is saved. All files are mandatory. You will not be allowed to proceed until all files are provided. Press Done when upload of each file is complete, to attach them to the application. At the summary page, review your entries and ensure that you mark the checkbox, agreeing to the declaration and terms and conditions of the application. 19 You will then be given an application number, which you can refer when enquiring about the status of your application. Click Next to proceed with Payment. You will be allowed to select any transaction that is unpaid, before being redirected to Cybersource for payment. SP Contractor Portal accepts Visa or Mastercard payment. 20 Enter your credit card details in the secured page and upon successful payment, you will be redirected back to the SP Contractor Portal and shown the Payment page. You may obtain a copy of the receipt by clicking on Receipt in the Notes and Attachments section. 21 5. Applying for NCE Click on Apply for NCE on the main page or Apply for NCE from the NCE dropdown list. The NCE application screen will display and you will need to prepare the following information: • Personal Particulars of Applicant • Name and RES Pass number of at least 1 Registered Earthwork Supervisor • Project Owner's Particulars • Contract Details • LCDW Particulars (Cable NCE) • Work Details 22 Select the application type. There is a new application type that combines both Cable & Gas applications together. Select this if your earthwork is near both cables and gas pipelines. Enter the necessary details and click Next to proceed to the next screen. Details marked with a * are mandatory and cannot be left blank. 23 Valid RES pass numbers must be provided. The pass numbers are in the format of last 4 characters of NRIC and birthdate (in dd/mm/yyyy), e.g. 123X31/12/1950. REO information is not mandatory. Select the Project Principal agency. If not available, select N/A. 24 If Agency is selected, enter the supervisor name and details as well. For Combined Cable & Gas and Cable applications, provide LCDW details. LCDW License No should be in the format of NNNN-NNNN (1234-1234). Check with EMA for license information. If the application is an Emergency Application, provide the required information. 25 Use the map to select an area where work is to be done. You may search for the area using the search bar. Thereafter you can mark the area out by clicking on the pentagon box, and using it to mark an area of work. Map selection allows you to select any shape where the two furthest points are 1.5km apart. Street names within 500m of the center point of the selected area will be returned. 26 After the area is marked and you click Submit at the bottom of the page, the system will attempt to retrieve road names from SLA’s OneMap service. Thereafter please provide detailed description of the work area and work details. The system will also attach the drawn area to the application automatically, to be used as the site plan. After entering works details and clicking Next, you will be required to attach documents depending on the type of application. 27 For uploaded files, if you wish to remove them, click on X to remove the uploaded file. To preview the files, you can click on the file to download it to view. You will be able to review your entries before submission. 28 Please agree to the terms and conditions by checking the box at the bottom of the page. After clicking next, you will be provided with an Application number, and be prompted to make payment. 29 You will be allowed to select any transaction that is unpaid, before being redirected to Cybersource for payment. SP Contractor Portal accepts Visa or Mastercard payment. Once payment is completed, you will be returned to the Portal to show your payment page, where you can download the receipt. 30 6. APPLYING FOR NCD Click on Apply for NCD on the main page or Apply for NCD from the NCD dropdown list. The NCD application screen will display and you will need to prepare the following information: • Earthworks Contractor Company Details • Earthworks Details • LCDW Details 31 Enter the necessary details and click Next to proceed to the next screen. Details marked with a * are mandatory and cannot be left blank. Use the map to select an area where work is to be done. You may search for the area using the search bar. Thereafter you can mark the area out by clicking on the pentagon box, and using it to mark an area of work. Map selection allows you to select any shape where the two furthest points are 1.5km apart. Street names within 500m of the center point of the selected area will be returned. 32 After the area is marked and you click Submit at the bottom of the page, the system will attempt to retrieve road names from SLA’s OneMap service. Thereafter please provide detailed description of the work area and work details. The system will also attach the drawn area to the application automatically, to be used as the site plan. 33 After entering works details and clicking next, you will be required to provide LCDW details. You will be allowed to review your entries before submitting. Please ensure the declaration is checked, in order to proceed. 34 After confirming, you will be provided with an application number. Upon clicking Finish, you will be brought to the first screen of a new application. You may continue or navigate away. 7. APPLYING FOR DRAWINGS/PLAN REQUESTS Click on Apply for Drawing/Plan Request on the main page or Apply for Drawing/Plan Request from the Drawing/Plan Request dropdown list. The As Built/Plan Request application screen will display and you will need to prepare the following information: • Applicant Details • Project Description Details 35 Select an application type. As-Built Drawings will be for Cable drawings. Surveyed Drawing will be for Gas pipe Drawings. Upon clicking Next, you will be asked for an Application Purpose. If Planning is selected, you can enter a Plan Request number (e.g. PR-2019000123). If Earthwork is selected, you must enter an NCE number (e.g. 201900123). 36 Enter the required details. If As-Built is chosen, you will be asked for the Project Officer Section. Use the map to select an area where work is to be done. You may search for the area using the search bar. Thereafter you can mark the area out by clicking on the pentagon box, and using it to mark an area of work. For As Built and Surveyed Drawings, street names within 500m of the center point of the selected area will be returned. For Plan Requests, Map selection allows you to select any shape where the two furthest points are 1.5km apart. 37 Street names within 500m of the center point of the selected area will be returned. After selecting a map area, you will be asked to provide Project Details and a reason for the request. Thereafter, you will be allowed to review your entries before proceeding. Please ensure the checkbox is marked, indicating your agreement to the terms and conditions. For Plan Requests, you will be required to download a pre-filled Plan Request form for the Project Principal to sign before uploading it for MEA processing. Upon submission, you will be provided an application number. 38 Once MEA has reviewed your application, the status of the application will be set to “Ready for Payment”. You can view the status of your applications by clicking on My Drawing Requests for As Built/Surveyed Drawings or My Plan Requests for Plan Requests. Click on the Application No to see the details of your application. You can also communicate with the MEA/Project officer for any updates to your application via the Post Box at the right side of the screen. Once an application is ready for payment, you can pay for it using the Payment link. Steps are described in the Payments Section. 39 8. APPLYING FOR JOINTER PASS Click on Apply for Jointer Pass on the main page or Apply for Jointer Pass from the Jointers dropdown list. The Jointer application screen will display and you will need to prepare the following information: • One recent Passport Sized Photograph with white background • Applicant's Last 4 characters of NRIC (e.g. 123X) • Applicant's Birthdate • Voltage applying for (LV, 6.6kV, 22kV) • Document Record of Supervised Jointing (for New Applicants) • Document Record of Supervised Jointing (for Renewals) • Fit for Work Certification from a Doctor (for applicants above 62 years old) You will also be required to check the checkbox to consent to the terms and conditions of the application. 40 Select an Application Type. Provide your personal details. Drag and drop your passport photo and click Crop & Save. Provide the required documents. 41 You will receive an application number at the end of the application. 9. APPLYING FOR CONTRACTOR PASS Click on Apply for Contractor Pass on the main page or Apply for Contractor Pass from the Contractor Pass dropdown list. If you cannot see the dropdown list, click on More. Begin by entering a Contract Number, selecting a Section, providing the Project Officer Name, Type of application and Voltage Level of works. Select N/A if this is not transmission or distribution related. 42 Once you click Submit, the contract description will be displayed. Click Confirm to continue. You will now be allowed to upload a list of applicants (in a fixed format comma delimited file). The guide for the format is available at [ProductionURL]/s/contractor-pass-fileupload-faq 43 Alternatively, you may choose to add applicants one by one. Provide the applicant NRIC/FIN last 4 characters, date of birth and role, then click Search. The applicant must have passed a Safety Course and have obtained VRS clearance. When the applicant is successfully found, the details will be retrieved from the system and you can proceed to provide the necessary additional information. 44 Upon completing the entry, you can either add a new applicant by clicking Add Applicant or go to the actual application by clicking Next. Repeat the steps above to add more applicants. Once done, you can click Next on the applicant detail screen, or Proceed to Application from the search applicant page. In the application page, you can add more applicants if required. 45 Otherwise, click on the Applicant Name to enter further details e.g. Provide a Passport Photo, Educational Certificates, Professional Certificates, Employment History etc. Enter additional details and upload necessary proof of experience, employment, certifcates, NRIC copy. Please note that for all documents containing NRIC/FIN, please mask the leading characters, leaving only the last 4 digits (including alphabet are showing) 46 After you have completed adding the details, please click on the application number to return to the application. Click Submit for Approval for SP to process the application 47 10. PAYMENTS To find outstanding payments, click on More and then click on My Outstanding Payments, or click on the box in the homepage. Select the applications you want to pay for and click on Pay Selected. 48 You will be redirected to Cybersource to complete payment. SP Contractor Portal accepts Visa and Mastercard payments. Upon successful payment, you will be redirected back to the Portal, where you can download your receipt. 11. RESUMING A PAUSED APPLICATION Applications that are paused can be resumed by clicking on the Paused Applications tab on the homepage. Click on the down arrow at the right and Resume to continue the application. 49 50
[20150930] The Straits Times - Polytechnic's Solar Car Rises From The Ashes (Page B1)https://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:8602c4a5-b5fe-4a22-a1d6-b94820ed34b6
The Straits Times, HomeB1, 30 September 2015 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 | THE STRAITS TIMES | B1 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS S’PORE ACCEDES TO UN PROTOCOL B5 LAWYER’S BOOK MINISTRY TAKES ISSUE WITH ACCOUNTS B3 15k THE NUMBER OF CASES SUBMITTED VIA MUNICIPAL ISSUES APP ONE SERVICE B6 Poly’s solar race car rises from ashes Nicknamed Phoenix, it was rebuilt after fire destroyed the first Christopher Tan Senior Transport Correspondent As the only polytechnic in a solar car race set in a desert and dominatedby big-name universitiessuchas the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford and Cambridge, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) was prepared for hot competition. But probably not as hot as the inferno that engulfed its $250,000 self-built solar-powered two-seater weeks before the car was due to be shipped to Darwin in Australia for the flag-off. Through sheer grit, the team of 52 engineering students and lecturers managed to rebuild the car – in just four weeks. Projectsponsor SingaporePower decided to pay to airfreight the car, buying the team extra time. The black 220kg carbon-fibre car lined with solar cells – nicknamed Phoenix by the students – is now undergoing final tests. The polytechnic will be among 46 teams from 25 countries taking part in the biennial World Solar Challenge, a 3,000km endurance race from Darwin to Adelaide, from Oct 18 to 25. Senior lecturer and team manager Steven Chew said: “This journey started in December 2013. The students worked hard to create the car. “Just when we were ready to unveil it... the fire took everything away. We were devastated to see 20 months of hard work destroyed in front of us.” The incident happened on Aug 25, when the car was to be presented to the SP board and Singapore Power. Student leader Bryan Chu, 20, recalled: “I was right at the door of the lab where it happened. I felt so helpless because there was nothing I could do.” Investigations into the cause of the fire are still ongoing. Actingas a liaison person between students and lecturers, Mr Chu – who is pursuing a diploma in clean energy – said the team was determined to build another car. Working overweekends and sometimes overnight,it managedto do justthat. SingaporePower groupchiefexecutive Wong Kim Yin recalled the day of the fire: “I was just driving into campus when I saw an SCDF fire (Clockwise from bottom left) Team manager and senior lecturer Steven Chew with students Daniel Quick, 20; Lee Sunho, 21; and Cheong Yong Quan, 21, who are driving the Singapore Polytechnic team’s black SunSPEC4, a 220kg carbon-fibre car lined with solar cells. The polytechnic is taking part in the World Solar Challenge, a 3,000km endurance race from Darwin to Adelaide, from Oct 18 to 25. PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI FOR THE STRAITS TIMES truckthere. It was anominous sign.” Mr Wong said Singapore Power did not hesitate to give extra financial support. “We wanted to nurture this spirit of ‘never say die’ in the younger generation, this spirit of resilience,” he said. “I think it’s important.” The power distribution company’s $1 million sponsorship will allow the team to take part in two more solar challenges – in 2017 and 2019. Mr Wong added that the sponsorship was an appropriate initiative for Singapore Power as it has to do with “our next sources of energy”. The polytechnic has entered three solar car races since 1999. Inthe 2013 World Solar Challenge, its single-seater finished 16th. The year before, its solar car was first in the Shell Eco-Marathon, which was open only to Asian challengers. In 1999, its had to withdraw because of torrential rain. Mr Chew said he is confident of faring better this year as SP is entering in the Cruiser class, a fairly new category that features two-seaters. This class is supposed to reflect the practicality of everyday cars. Competitors in this class are allowed overnight charging of batteries from electrical outlets at Alice Springs, the mid-point. New rules this year are also expected to result in a more level playing field. The polytechnic’s SunSPEC4 is powered by two rear in-wheel motors and can attain a top speed of 90kmh to 100kmh; its 15kW lithium-ion battery pack gives it a range of 500km when fully charged. Its solar panels are extra thin, allowing them to be moulded over curved surfaces. They are 10 per cent more efficient in converting solar energy into electricity than commercial-grade panels. christan@sph.com.sg Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction
Media Release - Electricity Tariff Revision For The Period 1 October To 31 December 2014https://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/spgroup/wcm/connect/spgrp/96cea77d-e637-4ccc-9050-8587eecc3f79/%5B20140930%5D+Media+Release+-+Electricity+Tariff+Revision+For+The+Period+1+October+To+31+December+2014.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=
30 SEP 2014 For Immediate Release MEDIA RELEASE ELECTRICITY TARIFF REVISION FOR THE PERIOD 1 OCTOBER TO 31 DECEMBER 2014 1. For the period from 1 Oct to 31 Dec 2014, electricity tariffs will decrease by an average of 1.6% or 0.40 cent per kWh compared to the previous quarter. 2. The electricity tariff for households will decrease by 0.40 cent per kWh from 25.68 to 25.28 cents per kWh for 1 Oct to 31 Dec 2014. The average monthly electricity bill for families living in four-room HDB flats will decrease by $1.69 (see Appendix 3 for the average decrease for different household types). 3. SP Services reviews the electricity tariffs quarterly based on guidelines set by the Energy Market Authority (EMA), the electricity industry regulator. The tariffs given in Appendix 1 have been approved by the EMA. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Issued by: SP Services Limited 10 Pasir Panjang Road #03-01 Mapletree Business City Singapore 117438 Co. Reg No : 199504470N www.spservices.com.sg ELECTRICITY TARIFFS FROM 1 OCT 2014 Appendix 1 Appendix 2 BREAKDOWN OF ELECTRICITY TARIFF 1. The electricity tariff consists of the following four components: a) Energy cost (paid to the generation companies): This component is adjusted quarterly to reflect changes in the cost of power generation. b) Network cost (paid to SP PowerAssets): This fee is reviewed annually. c) Market Support Services Fee (paid to SP Services): This fee is reviewed annually. d) Market Administration and Power System Operation Fee (paid to Energy Market Company and Power System Operator): This fee is reviewed annually to recover the costs of operating the electricity wholesale market and power system. Q4 2014 TARIFF Energy Costs 20.01¢/kWh Decreased by 0.40 ¢/kWh Generation Companies Network Costs 5.05¢/kWh MSS Fee 0.17¢/kWh Market Admin & PSO Fee 0.05¢/kWh No Change No Change No Change SP PowerAssets SP Services Power System Operator & Energy Market Company AVERAGE MONTHLY ELECTRICITY BILLS OF DOMESTIC CUSTOMERS (TARIFF WEF 1 OCTOBER 2014) Appendix 3
Media Coveragehttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/about-us/media-resources/media-coverage?page=12
Media Coverage Catch the latest news on SP All Years 25 Sep 2023 Berita Harian Online - SP Group wins tender for first district cooling project in Thailand Source: Berita Harian Online © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction. 25 Sep 2023 The Business Times - SP Group wins tender for first district cooling project in Thailand Source: The Business Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction. 24 Sep 2023 Lianhe Zaobao - SP Group wins tender for first district cooling project in Thailand Source: Lianhe Zaobao © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction. 24 Sep 2023 The Business Times Online - SP Group wins tender for first district cooling project in Thailand Source: The Business Times Online © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction. 15 Sep 2023 The Business Times - Powering up land use Source: The Business Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction 15 Sep 2023 The Business Times - Labrador Tower set to showcase SP Group’s green, digital energy prowess Source: The Business Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction 14 Sep 2023 The Business Times - Labrador Tower set to showcase SP Group’s green, digital energy prowess (Online) Source: The Business Times Online © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction 09 Sep 2023 The Business Times Online - SGX SP Group Charity Golf Events Raise More Than $900,000 Source: The Business Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction. 27 Aug 2023 The Straits Times - A good engineer likes to be challenged": Mentor's tough assignments sharpen skills of next generation Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction. 24 Aug 2023 The Business Times - SP Group, Frasers Property to jointly develop smart energy solutions in Vietnam industrial park Source: The Business Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction. 1 ... 11 12 13 ... 49
Searchhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/search?tag=open-electricity-market
Search Open Electricity Markethttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/our-services/utilities/open-electricity-market OverviewUtilities Quick Guide ResidentialUtilities Quick Guide CommercialGo green, go paperlessTariff informationOpen Electricity MarketFAQsForm & ResourcesChat with Us Open Electricity Market The Open Electricity Market is an initiative by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) that allows you to enjoy more choices and flexibility when buying electricity. You can benefit from competitive pricing and innovative offers from retailers. With the Open Electricity Market, you have the choice of buying electricity from: SP Group at the regulated tariff (no action is required if you choose this option); or An electricity retailer at a price plan that best meets your needs; or The wholesale electricity market at half-hourly wholesale electricity prices through SP Group. Regardless of who you buy your electricity from, your electricity supply will stay the same. This is because SP Group will continue to operate the national power grid and deliver electricity to everyone. Working with Retailers Our goal is to make switching processes convenient and efficient for all customers. SP will facilitate customer transfers between retailers and offer retailers one-stop utilities billing and call centre services. As the Market Support Services Licensee, SP continues to provide services such as: Opening and closing of utilities account Meter reading Meter data management Billing on Behalf of Retailers  If your Retailer Exits the Market You will be transferred to buy electricity from SP Group as a last resort.  Households and small businesses with an average monthly consumption of less than 4MWh will buy electricity at the regulated tariff rate. Larger businesses with an average monthly consumption of at least 4MWh will buy electricity at the wholesale electricity price. There will be no disruption to your electricity supply. You will continue to receive your electricity supply through the national power grid that is operated by SP Group. Making the Switch to a Retailer Residential Consumers Business Consumers For more information on Open Electricity Market Visit www.openelectricitymarket.com.sg Have a business enquiry? Interested to find out more how our integrated services can serve your business needs? Drop us an online enquiry, and our qualified professionals will reach out to you. Contact Us The Sunday Times - Open Electricity Market - How to save energy and moneyhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:4b271c9a-e89d-4c36-ae95-3f38f985c89c B14 | The Sunday Times | Sunday, September 1, 2019 Me & My Property Before investing in properties, entrepreneur Gerald Tan researches extensively such as viewing listings online. B11 The Energy Market Authority stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 electricity retailers pay a rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. ST FILE PHOTO Open electricity market: How to save energy and money About 34% of household consumers made switch, most on 24-month standard price plan Lorna Tan Invest Editor The nationwide roll-out of the Open Electricity Market (OEM) has been completed so consumers have the power to choose who to buy electricity from and potentially lower their power bills. The roll-out started with a soft launch to households and businesses in Jurong in April last year and ended with the last zone in May, with around 1.6 million accounts or households connected. You would have received a notification package and a booklet on how to switch out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 retailers. The option to choose from these electricity retailers comes with benefits like competitive pricing and innovative offers such as cash rebates if paying via selected credit cards. About 34 per cent of household consumers have made a switch. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched pay an electricity rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. Retailers are offering rates ranging from 17.66 cents/kWh (kilowatt hour ) to 23.01 cents/kWh for their fixed price plans and discounts ranging from 14.5 per cent to 25 per cent off the regulated tariff plans. Most households that switched signed up for 24-month standard price plans. The fixed-price plans have seen a higher take-up than the discount off the regulated tariff plans, the EMA said. Bear in mind that you should buy electricity only from retailers authorised by the EMA. And buying electricity from a retailer does not change the way power is physically supplied to you because SP will continue to operate the national grid. For those who have not switched to an electricity retailer, there is no time pressure as you can change at any time and you can continue to buy electricity from SP at the regulated tariff as you do today. The Sunday Times highlights the role of SP, and the various plans and factors to consider so you can make an informed decision on the price plan that best suits your needs. SP’s role in OEM SP does not generate or sell electricity. It buys it from power generation companies and distributes it to consumers at zero markup. SP has continued to own, operate and maintain the national electricity grid since the OEM. It transmits and distributes electricity to all consumers. This ensures a reliable supply, regardless of your choice of retailer. SP also acts as a safeguard. If a retailer ceases operations, SP Group will take over the accounts at the default tariff price and continue to supply electricity to consumers. SP’s Wholesale Price Plan Consumers can choose from any of the 12 retailers (the list may change over time), selecting one of the many price plans that best suits their needs. Some consumers may not be aware that they can also buy directly from the wholesale electricity market via SP. This is because SP offers two price plans – the regulated tariff and a wholesale price. Consumers who prefer to keep How they compare Name Best Electricity Diamond Electric Geneco iSwitch Keppel Electric Ohm Electricity PacificLight SembCorp Power Senoko Energy Sunseap Tuas Power Union Power NOTE: Table as at Aug 26, 2019. Type of plans offered Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Wholesale market rate plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan the status quo can choose to remain with SP on the regulated tariff that is set by the EMA. When the market was progressively liberalised from 2001, commercial and industrial customers with higher consumptions already had a choice of buying electricity at a tariffed rate or at a wholesale price Contract length 6 months/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 2 years No contract/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 3 months/2 years 2 years No contract/6 months/ 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year No contract 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 1 year No contract 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 1.5 years/2 years/3 years 6 months/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/2 years Source: SEEDLY.SG SUNDAY TIMES GRAPHICS from SP Group, or at retail price from the big generation companies such as Sembcorp, Tuas, Senoko and Geneco (formerly Seraya). Residential customers had the option of the wholesale price when their respective zones opened up, starting with Jurong in April last year. Price plans available to consumers REGULATED TARIFF This price plan is regulated and set by the EMA quarterly. The tariff takes into consideration the longterm cost of producing electricity and looks to protect consumers from volatile oil and gas prices. As this is a regulated price, SP does not have the flexibility of lowering it by bundling with other offers and service partners. Who is suited for this? Typically, consumers with low electricity consumption prefer to stick to the option they are familiar with and not bother with gimmicks or additional terms and conditions. The tariffed price is stable and regulated. WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY PRICE You can choose to buy electricity directly from the wholesale market at no mark-up. As the prices are determined by market forces, they are the lowest price out there. However, prices fluctuate due to demand and supply of real-time electricity consumption across Singapore. On a day when heavy industries consume a lot of electricity, the demand is high and hence the price is higher compared with night hours when these heavy industries shut down. Who is suited for this? This can be considered by consumers who are more savvy, who do not mind the volatility of real-time electricity costs that change every 30 minutes, and if they tend to consume power more in the night (for example, by using air conditioning) when prices are cheaper than in the day time. In addition, there is no fixed term tied to this option so you can terminate as and when you want. RETAIL PRICE There are multiple plans that are offered by retailers. They can be grouped into: • Fixed price – A fixed price per kilowatt of electricity. A household on this plan will pay a constant rate (for example, 20 cents/kWh) throughout the contract duration. Note that the rates retailers offer may be higher or lower than the regulated tariff. • Discount-off tariff – Discount based on a fixed percentage off the regulated tariff. The family that opts for this plan will get a fixed discount off the prevailing regulated tariff (for example, 5 per cent) throughout the contract duration. The regulated tariff is reviewed by SP Group quarterly and approved by the EMA. While these two plans are relatively cheaper compared with the regulated tariff and could be creatively bundled with other offerings and service partners, they look at the short-term cost of producing electricity, which is why they tend to be tied to a one- or two-year lock-up period. Who is suited for this? It is important that you understand the terms and conditions before signing up for a plan. Check things like whether you need to pay a fee if you terminate the plan and make a switch. Do not make the decision to switch to a retailer simply based on price. Assess your lifestyle needs and consumption patterns. In general, if you are looking at locking up a fixed price for the next one or two years, getting a fixedpriced plan is an option. Others who would like a fixed discount over the regulated tariff can opt for the discount-off tariff plan. Some retailers also offer green-energy plans that are catered towards consumers who want to do their part for the environment. Making comparisons There are more than 100 different plans offered by electricity retailers. You can visit compare.openelectricitymarket.sg to make price comparisons. Seedly has also launched an Electricity Market price comparison tool which compares the plans based on user reviews, rates, housing type, promotional codes and deals in the market. Over at UOB Bank, its UOB Utility Marketplace makes it easy for consumers to compare providers and plans through its Electricity Price Plan Recommender. lornatan@sph.com.sg Understanding the electricity tariff SP Group does not have a retailer licence and can only supply electricity to consumers at the regulated tariff rate. About 75 per cent of the tariff goes directly to generation companies as SP passes down the cost directly without any mark-up. Approximately 24 per cent of the regulated tariff goes to SP for grid charges and a market-support services fee. This component of the tariff works out to approximately five to six cents, and goes towards operating, maintaining and upgrading the national electricity grid. While energy costs have gone up and down through the years, SP says the fees for maintaining the grid have been kept stable over the past decade. SP Group is believed to be the most reliable energy distributor in the world, based on the average length of electricity interruption experienced by users. According to the System Average Interruption Duration Index, Singapore’s score is under a minute, next best is Osaka at five minutes. Energy-saving tips Electricity is generated here by burning natural gas and oil, which releases pollutants and greenhouse gases. These trap heat from the sun and keep it from escaping, causing the earth to become warmer, which in turn changes climates everywhere. When we use electricity wisely, there will be less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases. So it’s important to do our part to practise good energy conservation habits. Here are some household energy-savings tips from Singapore Power and the National Environment Agency. LIVING ROOM • Choose energy-saving lighting such as LED bulbs instead of incandescent lamps. • Always switch off electrical appliances at the power socket. Standby power can account for up to 10 per cent of home energy use. BEDROOM • Service your air-conditioners and clean the filters regularly to ensure optimal working condition. • Set the air-conditioner temperature to 25 deg C or higher. The lower the temperature, the more electricity is used. • Close doors and windows when the air-conditioning is on. • Use a laptop instead of desktop as it uses less electricity. KITCHEN • Cover liquids and food stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered items release moisture, forcing the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Allow food to cool before putting it into the refrigerator. Hot food causes the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Match the size of the pot with the size of the burner. This is because energy is lost when small pots are used on larger burners. • Wash with an optimal load to maximise energy savings. Lorna Tan Publishedandprinted bySingapore Press Holdings Limited. Co. Regn.No. 198402868E. Amember of AuditBureauof CirculationsSingapore. CustomerService(Circulation): 6388-3838,circs@sph.com.sg, Fax 6746-1925. [20180929]+SP+Group's+role+in+Open+Electricity+Market+-+Response+on+Straits+Times+Forum.pdfhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/spgroup/wcm/connect/spgrp/620a98dd-de66-45f8-b702-7f3eb1a678d8/%5B20180929%5D+SP+Group's+role+in+Open+Electricity+Market+-+Response+on+Straits+Times+Forum.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID= SP Group’s role in electricity industry As published in Straits Times Forum Letter (29 Sept 2018) We thank readers for their letters and the queries they raised (How are new retailers able to offer better prices than SP Group? by Mr Max Leong; Maintaining cost savings tough in the long term by Mr Goh Boon Kai and Many concerns over changes in power market by Mr Ong Soon Yam for their letters, all on Sept 25). SP Group operates and maintains the electricity grid and provides market support services such as billing and meter reading. Under the regulated tariff set by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) for the period of July 1 to Sept 30, SP Group is paid 5.71 cents per kWh (SP Component) for the above services, out of 23.65 cents per kWh paid by residential consumers. The remaining tariff components go to the generation companies, Energy Market Company for market administration, and EMA for power system operator costs. Under the Open Electricity Market (OEM), consumers will be able to buy electricity from retailers, at the retail electricity price, instead of buying under the tariff set by the EMA. The electricity price offered by retailers will also include the SP Component. Whether consumers buy electricity under tariff, or through a retailer, the SP Component collected from consumers is the same. It is regulated by the EMA, and has been stable the past 10 years, even as the electricity tariff fluctuated. Chuah Kee Heng Managing Director SP Services Jan-08 Apr-08 Jul-08 Oct-08 Jan-09 Apr-09 Jul-09 Oct-09 Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Oct-10 Jan-11 Apr-11 Jul-11 Oct-11 Jan-12 Apr-12 Jul-12 Oct-12 Jan-13 Apr-13 Jul-13 Oct-13 Jan-14 Apr-14 Jul-14 Oct-14 Jan-15 Apr-15 Jul-15 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16 Jul-16 Oct-16 Jan-17 Apr-17 Jul-17 Oct-17 Jan-18 Apr-18 Jul-18 Reference Low Tension Electricity Tariff for Residential Customers 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Grid Charge MSS Fee Market Admin & PSO Energy Cost Q3 2018 TARIFF (July – September) Market Admin & Power System Operator Fee to EMA (No change) 0.05¢/kWh (<1%) Market Support Services Fee to SP Group (No change) 0.40¢/kWh (1. to7%) Network Costs to SP Group (No change) 5.31¢/kWh (22.5%) Energy Costs to electricity generation companies (Increase by 1.50¢/kWh compared to previous quarter) 17.89¢/kWh (75.6%) Searchhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/search?tag=open-electricity-market Search Open Electricity Markethttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/our-services/utilities/open-electricity-market OverviewUtilities Quick Guide ResidentialUtilities Quick Guide CommercialGo green, go paperlessTariff informationOpen Electricity MarketFAQsForm & ResourcesChat with Us Open Electricity Market The Open Electricity Market is an initiative by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) that allows you to enjoy more choices and flexibility when buying electricity. You can benefit from competitive pricing and innovative offers from retailers. With the Open Electricity Market, you have the choice of buying electricity from: SP Group at the regulated tariff (no action is required if you choose this option); or An electricity retailer at a price plan that best meets your needs; or The wholesale electricity market at half-hourly wholesale electricity prices through SP Group. Regardless of who you buy your electricity from, your electricity supply will stay the same. This is because SP Group will continue to operate the national power grid and deliver electricity to everyone. Working with Retailers Our goal is to make switching processes convenient and efficient for all customers. SP will facilitate customer transfers between retailers and offer retailers one-stop utilities billing and call centre services. As the Market Support Services Licensee, SP continues to provide services such as: Opening and closing of utilities account Meter reading Meter data management Billing on Behalf of Retailers  If your Retailer Exits the Market You will be transferred to buy electricity from SP Group as a last resort.  Households and small businesses with an average monthly consumption of less than 4MWh will buy electricity at the regulated tariff rate. Larger businesses with an average monthly consumption of at least 4MWh will buy electricity at the wholesale electricity price. There will be no disruption to your electricity supply. You will continue to receive your electricity supply through the national power grid that is operated by SP Group. Making the Switch to a Retailer Residential Consumers Business Consumers For more information on Open Electricity Market Visit www.openelectricitymarket.com.sg Have a business enquiry? Interested to find out more how our integrated services can serve your business needs? Drop us an online enquiry, and our qualified professionals will reach out to you. Contact Us The Sunday Times - Open Electricity Market - How to save energy and moneyhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:4b271c9a-e89d-4c36-ae95-3f38f985c89c B14 | The Sunday Times | Sunday, September 1, 2019 Me & My Property Before investing in properties, entrepreneur Gerald Tan researches extensively such as viewing listings online. B11 The Energy Market Authority stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 electricity retailers pay a rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. ST FILE PHOTO Open electricity market: How to save energy and money About 34% of household consumers made switch, most on 24-month standard price plan Lorna Tan Invest Editor The nationwide roll-out of the Open Electricity Market (OEM) has been completed so consumers have the power to choose who to buy electricity from and potentially lower their power bills. The roll-out started with a soft launch to households and businesses in Jurong in April last year and ended with the last zone in May, with around 1.6 million accounts or households connected. You would have received a notification package and a booklet on how to switch out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 retailers. The option to choose from these electricity retailers comes with benefits like competitive pricing and innovative offers such as cash rebates if paying via selected credit cards. About 34 per cent of household consumers have made a switch. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched pay an electricity rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. Retailers are offering rates ranging from 17.66 cents/kWh (kilowatt hour ) to 23.01 cents/kWh for their fixed price plans and discounts ranging from 14.5 per cent to 25 per cent off the regulated tariff plans. Most households that switched signed up for 24-month standard price plans. The fixed-price plans have seen a higher take-up than the discount off the regulated tariff plans, the EMA said. Bear in mind that you should buy electricity only from retailers authorised by the EMA. And buying electricity from a retailer does not change the way power is physically supplied to you because SP will continue to operate the national grid. For those who have not switched to an electricity retailer, there is no time pressure as you can change at any time and you can continue to buy electricity from SP at the regulated tariff as you do today. The Sunday Times highlights the role of SP, and the various plans and factors to consider so you can make an informed decision on the price plan that best suits your needs. SP’s role in OEM SP does not generate or sell electricity. It buys it from power generation companies and distributes it to consumers at zero markup. SP has continued to own, operate and maintain the national electricity grid since the OEM. It transmits and distributes electricity to all consumers. This ensures a reliable supply, regardless of your choice of retailer. SP also acts as a safeguard. If a retailer ceases operations, SP Group will take over the accounts at the default tariff price and continue to supply electricity to consumers. SP’s Wholesale Price Plan Consumers can choose from any of the 12 retailers (the list may change over time), selecting one of the many price plans that best suits their needs. Some consumers may not be aware that they can also buy directly from the wholesale electricity market via SP. This is because SP offers two price plans – the regulated tariff and a wholesale price. Consumers who prefer to keep How they compare Name Best Electricity Diamond Electric Geneco iSwitch Keppel Electric Ohm Electricity PacificLight SembCorp Power Senoko Energy Sunseap Tuas Power Union Power NOTE: Table as at Aug 26, 2019. Type of plans offered Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Wholesale market rate plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan the status quo can choose to remain with SP on the regulated tariff that is set by the EMA. When the market was progressively liberalised from 2001, commercial and industrial customers with higher consumptions already had a choice of buying electricity at a tariffed rate or at a wholesale price Contract length 6 months/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 2 years No contract/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 3 months/2 years 2 years No contract/6 months/ 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year No contract 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 1 year No contract 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 1.5 years/2 years/3 years 6 months/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/2 years Source: SEEDLY.SG SUNDAY TIMES GRAPHICS from SP Group, or at retail price from the big generation companies such as Sembcorp, Tuas, Senoko and Geneco (formerly Seraya). Residential customers had the option of the wholesale price when their respective zones opened up, starting with Jurong in April last year. Price plans available to consumers REGULATED TARIFF This price plan is regulated and set by the EMA quarterly. The tariff takes into consideration the longterm cost of producing electricity and looks to protect consumers from volatile oil and gas prices. As this is a regulated price, SP does not have the flexibility of lowering it by bundling with other offers and service partners. Who is suited for this? Typically, consumers with low electricity consumption prefer to stick to the option they are familiar with and not bother with gimmicks or additional terms and conditions. The tariffed price is stable and regulated. WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY PRICE You can choose to buy electricity directly from the wholesale market at no mark-up. As the prices are determined by market forces, they are the lowest price out there. However, prices fluctuate due to demand and supply of real-time electricity consumption across Singapore. On a day when heavy industries consume a lot of electricity, the demand is high and hence the price is higher compared with night hours when these heavy industries shut down. Who is suited for this? This can be considered by consumers who are more savvy, who do not mind the volatility of real-time electricity costs that change every 30 minutes, and if they tend to consume power more in the night (for example, by using air conditioning) when prices are cheaper than in the day time. In addition, there is no fixed term tied to this option so you can terminate as and when you want. RETAIL PRICE There are multiple plans that are offered by retailers. They can be grouped into: • Fixed price – A fixed price per kilowatt of electricity. A household on this plan will pay a constant rate (for example, 20 cents/kWh) throughout the contract duration. Note that the rates retailers offer may be higher or lower than the regulated tariff. • Discount-off tariff – Discount based on a fixed percentage off the regulated tariff. The family that opts for this plan will get a fixed discount off the prevailing regulated tariff (for example, 5 per cent) throughout the contract duration. The regulated tariff is reviewed by SP Group quarterly and approved by the EMA. While these two plans are relatively cheaper compared with the regulated tariff and could be creatively bundled with other offerings and service partners, they look at the short-term cost of producing electricity, which is why they tend to be tied to a one- or two-year lock-up period. Who is suited for this? It is important that you understand the terms and conditions before signing up for a plan. Check things like whether you need to pay a fee if you terminate the plan and make a switch. Do not make the decision to switch to a retailer simply based on price. Assess your lifestyle needs and consumption patterns. In general, if you are looking at locking up a fixed price for the next one or two years, getting a fixedpriced plan is an option. Others who would like a fixed discount over the regulated tariff can opt for the discount-off tariff plan. Some retailers also offer green-energy plans that are catered towards consumers who want to do their part for the environment. Making comparisons There are more than 100 different plans offered by electricity retailers. You can visit compare.openelectricitymarket.sg to make price comparisons. Seedly has also launched an Electricity Market price comparison tool which compares the plans based on user reviews, rates, housing type, promotional codes and deals in the market. Over at UOB Bank, its UOB Utility Marketplace makes it easy for consumers to compare providers and plans through its Electricity Price Plan Recommender. lornatan@sph.com.sg Understanding the electricity tariff SP Group does not have a retailer licence and can only supply electricity to consumers at the regulated tariff rate. About 75 per cent of the tariff goes directly to generation companies as SP passes down the cost directly without any mark-up. Approximately 24 per cent of the regulated tariff goes to SP for grid charges and a market-support services fee. This component of the tariff works out to approximately five to six cents, and goes towards operating, maintaining and upgrading the national electricity grid. While energy costs have gone up and down through the years, SP says the fees for maintaining the grid have been kept stable over the past decade. SP Group is believed to be the most reliable energy distributor in the world, based on the average length of electricity interruption experienced by users. According to the System Average Interruption Duration Index, Singapore’s score is under a minute, next best is Osaka at five minutes. Energy-saving tips Electricity is generated here by burning natural gas and oil, which releases pollutants and greenhouse gases. These trap heat from the sun and keep it from escaping, causing the earth to become warmer, which in turn changes climates everywhere. When we use electricity wisely, there will be less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases. So it’s important to do our part to practise good energy conservation habits. Here are some household energy-savings tips from Singapore Power and the National Environment Agency. LIVING ROOM • Choose energy-saving lighting such as LED bulbs instead of incandescent lamps. • Always switch off electrical appliances at the power socket. Standby power can account for up to 10 per cent of home energy use. BEDROOM • Service your air-conditioners and clean the filters regularly to ensure optimal working condition. • Set the air-conditioner temperature to 25 deg C or higher. The lower the temperature, the more electricity is used. • Close doors and windows when the air-conditioning is on. • Use a laptop instead of desktop as it uses less electricity. KITCHEN • Cover liquids and food stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered items release moisture, forcing the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Allow food to cool before putting it into the refrigerator. Hot food causes the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Match the size of the pot with the size of the burner. This is because energy is lost when small pots are used on larger burners. • Wash with an optimal load to maximise energy savings. Lorna Tan Publishedandprinted bySingapore Press Holdings Limited. Co. Regn.No. 198402868E. Amember of AuditBureauof CirculationsSingapore. CustomerService(Circulation): 6388-3838,circs@sph.com.sg, Fax 6746-1925. Searchhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/search?tag=open-electricity-market Search Open Electricity Markethttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/our-services/utilities/open-electricity-market OverviewUtilities Quick Guide ResidentialUtilities Quick Guide CommercialGo green, go paperlessTariff informationOpen Electricity MarketFAQsForm & ResourcesChat with Us Open Electricity Market The Open Electricity Market is an initiative by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) that allows you to enjoy more choices and flexibility when buying electricity. You can benefit from competitive pricing and innovative offers from retailers. With the Open Electricity Market, you have the choice of buying electricity from: SP Group at the regulated tariff (no action is required if you choose this option); or An electricity retailer at a price plan that best meets your needs; or The wholesale electricity market at half-hourly wholesale electricity prices through SP Group. Regardless of who you buy your electricity from, your electricity supply will stay the same. This is because SP Group will continue to operate the national power grid and deliver electricity to everyone. Working with Retailers Our goal is to make switching processes convenient and efficient for all customers. SP will facilitate customer transfers between retailers and offer retailers one-stop utilities billing and call centre services. As the Market Support Services Licensee, SP continues to provide services such as: Opening and closing of utilities account Meter reading Meter data management Billing on Behalf of Retailers  If your Retailer Exits the Market You will be transferred to buy electricity from SP Group as a last resort.  Households and small businesses with an average monthly consumption of less than 4MWh will buy electricity at the regulated tariff rate. Larger businesses with an average monthly consumption of at least 4MWh will buy electricity at the wholesale electricity price. There will be no disruption to your electricity supply. You will continue to receive your electricity supply through the national power grid that is operated by SP Group. Making the Switch to a Retailer Residential Consumers Business Consumers For more information on Open Electricity Market Visit www.openelectricitymarket.com.sg Have a business enquiry? Interested to find out more how our integrated services can serve your business needs? Drop us an online enquiry, and our qualified professionals will reach out to you. Contact Us The Sunday Times - Open Electricity Market - How to save energy and moneyhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:4b271c9a-e89d-4c36-ae95-3f38f985c89c B14 | The Sunday Times | Sunday, September 1, 2019 Me & My Property Before investing in properties, entrepreneur Gerald Tan researches extensively such as viewing listings online. B11 The Energy Market Authority stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 electricity retailers pay a rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. ST FILE PHOTO Open electricity market: How to save energy and money About 34% of household consumers made switch, most on 24-month standard price plan Lorna Tan Invest Editor The nationwide roll-out of the Open Electricity Market (OEM) has been completed so consumers have the power to choose who to buy electricity from and potentially lower their power bills. The roll-out started with a soft launch to households and businesses in Jurong in April last year and ended with the last zone in May, with around 1.6 million accounts or households connected. You would have received a notification package and a booklet on how to switch out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 retailers. The option to choose from these electricity retailers comes with benefits like competitive pricing and innovative offers such as cash rebates if paying via selected credit cards. About 34 per cent of household consumers have made a switch. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched pay an electricity rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. Retailers are offering rates ranging from 17.66 cents/kWh (kilowatt hour ) to 23.01 cents/kWh for their fixed price plans and discounts ranging from 14.5 per cent to 25 per cent off the regulated tariff plans. Most households that switched signed up for 24-month standard price plans. The fixed-price plans have seen a higher take-up than the discount off the regulated tariff plans, the EMA said. Bear in mind that you should buy electricity only from retailers authorised by the EMA. And buying electricity from a retailer does not change the way power is physically supplied to you because SP will continue to operate the national grid. For those who have not switched to an electricity retailer, there is no time pressure as you can change at any time and you can continue to buy electricity from SP at the regulated tariff as you do today. The Sunday Times highlights the role of SP, and the various plans and factors to consider so you can make an informed decision on the price plan that best suits your needs. SP’s role in OEM SP does not generate or sell electricity. It buys it from power generation companies and distributes it to consumers at zero markup. SP has continued to own, operate and maintain the national electricity grid since the OEM. It transmits and distributes electricity to all consumers. This ensures a reliable supply, regardless of your choice of retailer. SP also acts as a safeguard. If a retailer ceases operations, SP Group will take over the accounts at the default tariff price and continue to supply electricity to consumers. SP’s Wholesale Price Plan Consumers can choose from any of the 12 retailers (the list may change over time), selecting one of the many price plans that best suits their needs. Some consumers may not be aware that they can also buy directly from the wholesale electricity market via SP. This is because SP offers two price plans – the regulated tariff and a wholesale price. Consumers who prefer to keep How they compare Name Best Electricity Diamond Electric Geneco iSwitch Keppel Electric Ohm Electricity PacificLight SembCorp Power Senoko Energy Sunseap Tuas Power Union Power NOTE: Table as at Aug 26, 2019. Type of plans offered Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Wholesale market rate plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan the status quo can choose to remain with SP on the regulated tariff that is set by the EMA. When the market was progressively liberalised from 2001, commercial and industrial customers with higher consumptions already had a choice of buying electricity at a tariffed rate or at a wholesale price Contract length 6 months/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 2 years No contract/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 3 months/2 years 2 years No contract/6 months/ 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year No contract 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 1 year No contract 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 1.5 years/2 years/3 years 6 months/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/2 years Source: SEEDLY.SG SUNDAY TIMES GRAPHICS from SP Group, or at retail price from the big generation companies such as Sembcorp, Tuas, Senoko and Geneco (formerly Seraya). Residential customers had the option of the wholesale price when their respective zones opened up, starting with Jurong in April last year. Price plans available to consumers REGULATED TARIFF This price plan is regulated and set by the EMA quarterly. The tariff takes into consideration the longterm cost of producing electricity and looks to protect consumers from volatile oil and gas prices. As this is a regulated price, SP does not have the flexibility of lowering it by bundling with other offers and service partners. Who is suited for this? Typically, consumers with low electricity consumption prefer to stick to the option they are familiar with and not bother with gimmicks or additional terms and conditions. The tariffed price is stable and regulated. WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY PRICE You can choose to buy electricity directly from the wholesale market at no mark-up. As the prices are determined by market forces, they are the lowest price out there. However, prices fluctuate due to demand and supply of real-time electricity consumption across Singapore. On a day when heavy industries consume a lot of electricity, the demand is high and hence the price is higher compared with night hours when these heavy industries shut down. Who is suited for this? This can be considered by consumers who are more savvy, who do not mind the volatility of real-time electricity costs that change every 30 minutes, and if they tend to consume power more in the night (for example, by using air conditioning) when prices are cheaper than in the day time. In addition, there is no fixed term tied to this option so you can terminate as and when you want. RETAIL PRICE There are multiple plans that are offered by retailers. They can be grouped into: • Fixed price – A fixed price per kilowatt of electricity. A household on this plan will pay a constant rate (for example, 20 cents/kWh) throughout the contract duration. Note that the rates retailers offer may be higher or lower than the regulated tariff. • Discount-off tariff – Discount based on a fixed percentage off the regulated tariff. The family that opts for this plan will get a fixed discount off the prevailing regulated tariff (for example, 5 per cent) throughout the contract duration. The regulated tariff is reviewed by SP Group quarterly and approved by the EMA. While these two plans are relatively cheaper compared with the regulated tariff and could be creatively bundled with other offerings and service partners, they look at the short-term cost of producing electricity, which is why they tend to be tied to a one- or two-year lock-up period. Who is suited for this? It is important that you understand the terms and conditions before signing up for a plan. Check things like whether you need to pay a fee if you terminate the plan and make a switch. Do not make the decision to switch to a retailer simply based on price. Assess your lifestyle needs and consumption patterns. In general, if you are looking at locking up a fixed price for the next one or two years, getting a fixedpriced plan is an option. Others who would like a fixed discount over the regulated tariff can opt for the discount-off tariff plan. Some retailers also offer green-energy plans that are catered towards consumers who want to do their part for the environment. Making comparisons There are more than 100 different plans offered by electricity retailers. You can visit compare.openelectricitymarket.sg to make price comparisons. Seedly has also launched an Electricity Market price comparison tool which compares the plans based on user reviews, rates, housing type, promotional codes and deals in the market. Over at UOB Bank, its UOB Utility Marketplace makes it easy for consumers to compare providers and plans through its Electricity Price Plan Recommender. lornatan@sph.com.sg Understanding the electricity tariff SP Group does not have a retailer licence and can only supply electricity to consumers at the regulated tariff rate. About 75 per cent of the tariff goes directly to generation companies as SP passes down the cost directly without any mark-up. Approximately 24 per cent of the regulated tariff goes to SP for grid charges and a market-support services fee. This component of the tariff works out to approximately five to six cents, and goes towards operating, maintaining and upgrading the national electricity grid. While energy costs have gone up and down through the years, SP says the fees for maintaining the grid have been kept stable over the past decade. SP Group is believed to be the most reliable energy distributor in the world, based on the average length of electricity interruption experienced by users. According to the System Average Interruption Duration Index, Singapore’s score is under a minute, next best is Osaka at five minutes. Energy-saving tips Electricity is generated here by burning natural gas and oil, which releases pollutants and greenhouse gases. These trap heat from the sun and keep it from escaping, causing the earth to become warmer, which in turn changes climates everywhere. When we use electricity wisely, there will be less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases. So it’s important to do our part to practise good energy conservation habits. Here are some household energy-savings tips from Singapore Power and the National Environment Agency. LIVING ROOM • Choose energy-saving lighting such as LED bulbs instead of incandescent lamps. • Always switch off electrical appliances at the power socket. Standby power can account for up to 10 per cent of home energy use. BEDROOM • Service your air-conditioners and clean the filters regularly to ensure optimal working condition. • Set the air-conditioner temperature to 25 deg C or higher. The lower the temperature, the more electricity is used. • Close doors and windows when the air-conditioning is on. • Use a laptop instead of desktop as it uses less electricity. KITCHEN • Cover liquids and food stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered items release moisture, forcing the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Allow food to cool before putting it into the refrigerator. Hot food causes the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Match the size of the pot with the size of the burner. This is because energy is lost when small pots are used on larger burners. • Wash with an optimal load to maximise energy savings. Lorna Tan Publishedandprinted bySingapore Press Holdings Limited. Co. Regn.No. 198402868E. Amember of AuditBureauof CirculationsSingapore. CustomerService(Circulation): 6388-3838,circs@sph.com.sg, Fax 6746-1925. Searchhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/search?tag=open-electricity-market Search Open Electricity Markethttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/our-services/utilities/open-electricity-market OverviewUtilities Quick Guide ResidentialUtilities Quick Guide CommercialGo green, go paperlessTariff informationOpen Electricity MarketFAQsForm & ResourcesChat with Us Open Electricity Market The Open Electricity Market is an initiative by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) that allows you to enjoy more choices and flexibility when buying electricity. You can benefit from competitive pricing and innovative offers from retailers. With the Open Electricity Market, you have the choice of buying electricity from: SP Group at the regulated tariff (no action is required if you choose this option); or An electricity retailer at a price plan that best meets your needs; or The wholesale electricity market at half-hourly wholesale electricity prices through SP Group. Regardless of who you buy your electricity from, your electricity supply will stay the same. This is because SP Group will continue to operate the national power grid and deliver electricity to everyone. Working with Retailers Our goal is to make switching processes convenient and efficient for all customers. SP will facilitate customer transfers between retailers and offer retailers one-stop utilities billing and call centre services. As the Market Support Services Licensee, SP continues to provide services such as: Opening and closing of utilities account Meter reading Meter data management Billing on Behalf of Retailers  If your Retailer Exits the Market You will be transferred to buy electricity from SP Group as a last resort.  Households and small businesses with an average monthly consumption of less than 4MWh will buy electricity at the regulated tariff rate. Larger businesses with an average monthly consumption of at least 4MWh will buy electricity at the wholesale electricity price. There will be no disruption to your electricity supply. You will continue to receive your electricity supply through the national power grid that is operated by SP Group. Making the Switch to a Retailer Residential Consumers Business Consumers For more information on Open Electricity Market Visit www.openelectricitymarket.com.sg Have a business enquiry? Interested to find out more how our integrated services can serve your business needs? Drop us an online enquiry, and our qualified professionals will reach out to you. Contact Us The Sunday Times - Open Electricity Market - How to save energy and moneyhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:4b271c9a-e89d-4c36-ae95-3f38f985c89c B14 | The Sunday Times | Sunday, September 1, 2019 Me & My Property Before investing in properties, entrepreneur Gerald Tan researches extensively such as viewing listings online. B11 The Energy Market Authority stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 electricity retailers pay a rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. ST FILE PHOTO Open electricity market: How to save energy and money About 34% of household consumers made switch, most on 24-month standard price plan Lorna Tan Invest Editor The nationwide roll-out of the Open Electricity Market (OEM) has been completed so consumers have the power to choose who to buy electricity from and potentially lower their power bills. The roll-out started with a soft launch to households and businesses in Jurong in April last year and ended with the last zone in May, with around 1.6 million accounts or households connected. You would have received a notification package and a booklet on how to switch out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 retailers. The option to choose from these electricity retailers comes with benefits like competitive pricing and innovative offers such as cash rebates if paying via selected credit cards. About 34 per cent of household consumers have made a switch. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched pay an electricity rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. Retailers are offering rates ranging from 17.66 cents/kWh (kilowatt hour ) to 23.01 cents/kWh for their fixed price plans and discounts ranging from 14.5 per cent to 25 per cent off the regulated tariff plans. Most households that switched signed up for 24-month standard price plans. The fixed-price plans have seen a higher take-up than the discount off the regulated tariff plans, the EMA said. Bear in mind that you should buy electricity only from retailers authorised by the EMA. And buying electricity from a retailer does not change the way power is physically supplied to you because SP will continue to operate the national grid. For those who have not switched to an electricity retailer, there is no time pressure as you can change at any time and you can continue to buy electricity from SP at the regulated tariff as you do today. The Sunday Times highlights the role of SP, and the various plans and factors to consider so you can make an informed decision on the price plan that best suits your needs. SP’s role in OEM SP does not generate or sell electricity. It buys it from power generation companies and distributes it to consumers at zero markup. SP has continued to own, operate and maintain the national electricity grid since the OEM. It transmits and distributes electricity to all consumers. This ensures a reliable supply, regardless of your choice of retailer. SP also acts as a safeguard. If a retailer ceases operations, SP Group will take over the accounts at the default tariff price and continue to supply electricity to consumers. SP’s Wholesale Price Plan Consumers can choose from any of the 12 retailers (the list may change over time), selecting one of the many price plans that best suits their needs. Some consumers may not be aware that they can also buy directly from the wholesale electricity market via SP. This is because SP offers two price plans – the regulated tariff and a wholesale price. Consumers who prefer to keep How they compare Name Best Electricity Diamond Electric Geneco iSwitch Keppel Electric Ohm Electricity PacificLight SembCorp Power Senoko Energy Sunseap Tuas Power Union Power NOTE: Table as at Aug 26, 2019. Type of plans offered Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Wholesale market rate plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan the status quo can choose to remain with SP on the regulated tariff that is set by the EMA. When the market was progressively liberalised from 2001, commercial and industrial customers with higher consumptions already had a choice of buying electricity at a tariffed rate or at a wholesale price Contract length 6 months/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 2 years No contract/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 3 months/2 years 2 years No contract/6 months/ 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year No contract 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 1 year No contract 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 1.5 years/2 years/3 years 6 months/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/2 years Source: SEEDLY.SG SUNDAY TIMES GRAPHICS from SP Group, or at retail price from the big generation companies such as Sembcorp, Tuas, Senoko and Geneco (formerly Seraya). Residential customers had the option of the wholesale price when their respective zones opened up, starting with Jurong in April last year. Price plans available to consumers REGULATED TARIFF This price plan is regulated and set by the EMA quarterly. The tariff takes into consideration the longterm cost of producing electricity and looks to protect consumers from volatile oil and gas prices. As this is a regulated price, SP does not have the flexibility of lowering it by bundling with other offers and service partners. Who is suited for this? Typically, consumers with low electricity consumption prefer to stick to the option they are familiar with and not bother with gimmicks or additional terms and conditions. The tariffed price is stable and regulated. WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY PRICE You can choose to buy electricity directly from the wholesale market at no mark-up. As the prices are determined by market forces, they are the lowest price out there. However, prices fluctuate due to demand and supply of real-time electricity consumption across Singapore. On a day when heavy industries consume a lot of electricity, the demand is high and hence the price is higher compared with night hours when these heavy industries shut down. Who is suited for this? This can be considered by consumers who are more savvy, who do not mind the volatility of real-time electricity costs that change every 30 minutes, and if they tend to consume power more in the night (for example, by using air conditioning) when prices are cheaper than in the day time. In addition, there is no fixed term tied to this option so you can terminate as and when you want. RETAIL PRICE There are multiple plans that are offered by retailers. They can be grouped into: • Fixed price – A fixed price per kilowatt of electricity. A household on this plan will pay a constant rate (for example, 20 cents/kWh) throughout the contract duration. Note that the rates retailers offer may be higher or lower than the regulated tariff. • Discount-off tariff – Discount based on a fixed percentage off the regulated tariff. The family that opts for this plan will get a fixed discount off the prevailing regulated tariff (for example, 5 per cent) throughout the contract duration. The regulated tariff is reviewed by SP Group quarterly and approved by the EMA. While these two plans are relatively cheaper compared with the regulated tariff and could be creatively bundled with other offerings and service partners, they look at the short-term cost of producing electricity, which is why they tend to be tied to a one- or two-year lock-up period. Who is suited for this? It is important that you understand the terms and conditions before signing up for a plan. Check things like whether you need to pay a fee if you terminate the plan and make a switch. Do not make the decision to switch to a retailer simply based on price. Assess your lifestyle needs and consumption patterns. In general, if you are looking at locking up a fixed price for the next one or two years, getting a fixedpriced plan is an option. Others who would like a fixed discount over the regulated tariff can opt for the discount-off tariff plan. Some retailers also offer green-energy plans that are catered towards consumers who want to do their part for the environment. Making comparisons There are more than 100 different plans offered by electricity retailers. You can visit compare.openelectricitymarket.sg to make price comparisons. Seedly has also launched an Electricity Market price comparison tool which compares the plans based on user reviews, rates, housing type, promotional codes and deals in the market. Over at UOB Bank, its UOB Utility Marketplace makes it easy for consumers to compare providers and plans through its Electricity Price Plan Recommender. lornatan@sph.com.sg Understanding the electricity tariff SP Group does not have a retailer licence and can only supply electricity to consumers at the regulated tariff rate. About 75 per cent of the tariff goes directly to generation companies as SP passes down the cost directly without any mark-up. Approximately 24 per cent of the regulated tariff goes to SP for grid charges and a market-support services fee. This component of the tariff works out to approximately five to six cents, and goes towards operating, maintaining and upgrading the national electricity grid. While energy costs have gone up and down through the years, SP says the fees for maintaining the grid have been kept stable over the past decade. SP Group is believed to be the most reliable energy distributor in the world, based on the average length of electricity interruption experienced by users. According to the System Average Interruption Duration Index, Singapore’s score is under a minute, next best is Osaka at five minutes. Energy-saving tips Electricity is generated here by burning natural gas and oil, which releases pollutants and greenhouse gases. These trap heat from the sun and keep it from escaping, causing the earth to become warmer, which in turn changes climates everywhere. When we use electricity wisely, there will be less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases. So it’s important to do our part to practise good energy conservation habits. Here are some household energy-savings tips from Singapore Power and the National Environment Agency. LIVING ROOM • Choose energy-saving lighting such as LED bulbs instead of incandescent lamps. • Always switch off electrical appliances at the power socket. Standby power can account for up to 10 per cent of home energy use. BEDROOM • Service your air-conditioners and clean the filters regularly to ensure optimal working condition. • Set the air-conditioner temperature to 25 deg C or higher. The lower the temperature, the more electricity is used. • Close doors and windows when the air-conditioning is on. • Use a laptop instead of desktop as it uses less electricity. KITCHEN • Cover liquids and food stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered items release moisture, forcing the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Allow food to cool before putting it into the refrigerator. Hot food causes the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Match the size of the pot with the size of the burner. This is because energy is lost when small pots are used on larger burners. • Wash with an optimal load to maximise energy savings. Lorna Tan Publishedandprinted bySingapore Press Holdings Limited. Co. Regn.No. 198402868E. Amember of AuditBureauof CirculationsSingapore. CustomerService(Circulation): 6388-3838,circs@sph.com.sg, Fax 6746-1925. Searchhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/search?tag=open-electricity-market Search Open Electricity Markethttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/our-services/utilities/open-electricity-market OverviewUtilities Quick Guide ResidentialUtilities Quick Guide CommercialGo green, go paperlessTariff informationOpen Electricity MarketFAQsForm & ResourcesChat with Us Open Electricity Market The Open Electricity Market is an initiative by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) that allows you to enjoy more choices and flexibility when buying electricity. You can benefit from competitive pricing and innovative offers from retailers. With the Open Electricity Market, you have the choice of buying electricity from: SP Group at the regulated tariff (no action is required if you choose this option); or An electricity retailer at a price plan that best meets your needs; or The wholesale electricity market at half-hourly wholesale electricity prices through SP Group. Regardless of who you buy your electricity from, your electricity supply will stay the same. This is because SP Group will continue to operate the national power grid and deliver electricity to everyone. Working with Retailers Our goal is to make switching processes convenient and efficient for all customers. SP will facilitate customer transfers between retailers and offer retailers one-stop utilities billing and call centre services. As the Market Support Services Licensee, SP continues to provide services such as: Opening and closing of utilities account Meter reading Meter data management Billing on Behalf of Retailers  If your Retailer Exits the Market You will be transferred to buy electricity from SP Group as a last resort.  Households and small businesses with an average monthly consumption of less than 4MWh will buy electricity at the regulated tariff rate. Larger businesses with an average monthly consumption of at least 4MWh will buy electricity at the wholesale electricity price. There will be no disruption to your electricity supply. You will continue to receive your electricity supply through the national power grid that is operated by SP Group. Making the Switch to a Retailer Residential Consumers Business Consumers For more information on Open Electricity Market Visit www.openelectricitymarket.com.sg Have a business enquiry? Interested to find out more how our integrated services can serve your business needs? Drop us an online enquiry, and our qualified professionals will reach out to you. Contact Us The Sunday Times - Open Electricity Market - How to save energy and moneyhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:4b271c9a-e89d-4c36-ae95-3f38f985c89c B14 | The Sunday Times | Sunday, September 1, 2019 Me & My Property Before investing in properties, entrepreneur Gerald Tan researches extensively such as viewing listings online. B11 The Energy Market Authority stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 electricity retailers pay a rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. ST FILE PHOTO Open electricity market: How to save energy and money About 34% of household consumers made switch, most on 24-month standard price plan Lorna Tan Invest Editor The nationwide roll-out of the Open Electricity Market (OEM) has been completed so consumers have the power to choose who to buy electricity from and potentially lower their power bills. The roll-out started with a soft launch to households and businesses in Jurong in April last year and ended with the last zone in May, with around 1.6 million accounts or households connected. You would have received a notification package and a booklet on how to switch out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 retailers. The option to choose from these electricity retailers comes with benefits like competitive pricing and innovative offers such as cash rebates if paying via selected credit cards. About 34 per cent of household consumers have made a switch. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched pay an electricity rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. Retailers are offering rates ranging from 17.66 cents/kWh (kilowatt hour ) to 23.01 cents/kWh for their fixed price plans and discounts ranging from 14.5 per cent to 25 per cent off the regulated tariff plans. Most households that switched signed up for 24-month standard price plans. The fixed-price plans have seen a higher take-up than the discount off the regulated tariff plans, the EMA said. Bear in mind that you should buy electricity only from retailers authorised by the EMA. And buying electricity from a retailer does not change the way power is physically supplied to you because SP will continue to operate the national grid. For those who have not switched to an electricity retailer, there is no time pressure as you can change at any time and you can continue to buy electricity from SP at the regulated tariff as you do today. The Sunday Times highlights the role of SP, and the various plans and factors to consider so you can make an informed decision on the price plan that best suits your needs. SP’s role in OEM SP does not generate or sell electricity. It buys it from power generation companies and distributes it to consumers at zero markup. SP has continued to own, operate and maintain the national electricity grid since the OEM. It transmits and distributes electricity to all consumers. This ensures a reliable supply, regardless of your choice of retailer. SP also acts as a safeguard. If a retailer ceases operations, SP Group will take over the accounts at the default tariff price and continue to supply electricity to consumers. SP’s Wholesale Price Plan Consumers can choose from any of the 12 retailers (the list may change over time), selecting one of the many price plans that best suits their needs. Some consumers may not be aware that they can also buy directly from the wholesale electricity market via SP. This is because SP offers two price plans – the regulated tariff and a wholesale price. Consumers who prefer to keep How they compare Name Best Electricity Diamond Electric Geneco iSwitch Keppel Electric Ohm Electricity PacificLight SembCorp Power Senoko Energy Sunseap Tuas Power Union Power NOTE: Table as at Aug 26, 2019. Type of plans offered Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Wholesale market rate plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan the status quo can choose to remain with SP on the regulated tariff that is set by the EMA. When the market was progressively liberalised from 2001, commercial and industrial customers with higher consumptions already had a choice of buying electricity at a tariffed rate or at a wholesale price Contract length 6 months/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 2 years No contract/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 3 months/2 years 2 years No contract/6 months/ 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year No contract 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 1 year No contract 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 1.5 years/2 years/3 years 6 months/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/2 years Source: SEEDLY.SG SUNDAY TIMES GRAPHICS from SP Group, or at retail price from the big generation companies such as Sembcorp, Tuas, Senoko and Geneco (formerly Seraya). Residential customers had the option of the wholesale price when their respective zones opened up, starting with Jurong in April last year. Price plans available to consumers REGULATED TARIFF This price plan is regulated and set by the EMA quarterly. The tariff takes into consideration the longterm cost of producing electricity and looks to protect consumers from volatile oil and gas prices. As this is a regulated price, SP does not have the flexibility of lowering it by bundling with other offers and service partners. Who is suited for this? Typically, consumers with low electricity consumption prefer to stick to the option they are familiar with and not bother with gimmicks or additional terms and conditions. The tariffed price is stable and regulated. WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY PRICE You can choose to buy electricity directly from the wholesale market at no mark-up. As the prices are determined by market forces, they are the lowest price out there. However, prices fluctuate due to demand and supply of real-time electricity consumption across Singapore. On a day when heavy industries consume a lot of electricity, the demand is high and hence the price is higher compared with night hours when these heavy industries shut down. Who is suited for this? This can be considered by consumers who are more savvy, who do not mind the volatility of real-time electricity costs that change every 30 minutes, and if they tend to consume power more in the night (for example, by using air conditioning) when prices are cheaper than in the day time. In addition, there is no fixed term tied to this option so you can terminate as and when you want. RETAIL PRICE There are multiple plans that are offered by retailers. They can be grouped into: • Fixed price – A fixed price per kilowatt of electricity. A household on this plan will pay a constant rate (for example, 20 cents/kWh) throughout the contract duration. Note that the rates retailers offer may be higher or lower than the regulated tariff. • Discount-off tariff – Discount based on a fixed percentage off the regulated tariff. The family that opts for this plan will get a fixed discount off the prevailing regulated tariff (for example, 5 per cent) throughout the contract duration. The regulated tariff is reviewed by SP Group quarterly and approved by the EMA. While these two plans are relatively cheaper compared with the regulated tariff and could be creatively bundled with other offerings and service partners, they look at the short-term cost of producing electricity, which is why they tend to be tied to a one- or two-year lock-up period. Who is suited for this? It is important that you understand the terms and conditions before signing up for a plan. Check things like whether you need to pay a fee if you terminate the plan and make a switch. Do not make the decision to switch to a retailer simply based on price. Assess your lifestyle needs and consumption patterns. In general, if you are looking at locking up a fixed price for the next one or two years, getting a fixedpriced plan is an option. Others who would like a fixed discount over the regulated tariff can opt for the discount-off tariff plan. Some retailers also offer green-energy plans that are catered towards consumers who want to do their part for the environment. Making comparisons There are more than 100 different plans offered by electricity retailers. You can visit compare.openelectricitymarket.sg to make price comparisons. Seedly has also launched an Electricity Market price comparison tool which compares the plans based on user reviews, rates, housing type, promotional codes and deals in the market. Over at UOB Bank, its UOB Utility Marketplace makes it easy for consumers to compare providers and plans through its Electricity Price Plan Recommender. lornatan@sph.com.sg Understanding the electricity tariff SP Group does not have a retailer licence and can only supply electricity to consumers at the regulated tariff rate. About 75 per cent of the tariff goes directly to generation companies as SP passes down the cost directly without any mark-up. Approximately 24 per cent of the regulated tariff goes to SP for grid charges and a market-support services fee. This component of the tariff works out to approximately five to six cents, and goes towards operating, maintaining and upgrading the national electricity grid. While energy costs have gone up and down through the years, SP says the fees for maintaining the grid have been kept stable over the past decade. SP Group is believed to be the most reliable energy distributor in the world, based on the average length of electricity interruption experienced by users. According to the System Average Interruption Duration Index, Singapore’s score is under a minute, next best is Osaka at five minutes. Energy-saving tips Electricity is generated here by burning natural gas and oil, which releases pollutants and greenhouse gases. These trap heat from the sun and keep it from escaping, causing the earth to become warmer, which in turn changes climates everywhere. When we use electricity wisely, there will be less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases. So it’s important to do our part to practise good energy conservation habits. Here are some household energy-savings tips from Singapore Power and the National Environment Agency. LIVING ROOM • Choose energy-saving lighting such as LED bulbs instead of incandescent lamps. • Always switch off electrical appliances at the power socket. Standby power can account for up to 10 per cent of home energy use. BEDROOM • Service your air-conditioners and clean the filters regularly to ensure optimal working condition. • Set the air-conditioner temperature to 25 deg C or higher. The lower the temperature, the more electricity is used. • Close doors and windows when the air-conditioning is on. • Use a laptop instead of desktop as it uses less electricity. KITCHEN • Cover liquids and food stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered items release moisture, forcing the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Allow food to cool before putting it into the refrigerator. Hot food causes the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Match the size of the pot with the size of the burner. This is because energy is lost when small pots are used on larger burners. • Wash with an optimal load to maximise energy savings. Lorna Tan Publishedandprinted bySingapore Press Holdings Limited. Co. Regn.No. 198402868E. Amember of AuditBureauof CirculationsSingapore. CustomerService(Circulation): 6388-3838,circs@sph.com.sg, Fax 6746-1925. Searchhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/search?tag=open-electricity-market Search Open Electricity Markethttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/our-services/utilities/open-electricity-market OverviewUtilities Quick Guide ResidentialUtilities Quick Guide CommercialGo green, go paperlessTariff informationOpen Electricity MarketFAQsForm & ResourcesChat with Us Open Electricity Market The Open Electricity Market is an initiative by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) that allows you to enjoy more choices and flexibility when buying electricity. You can benefit from competitive pricing and innovative offers from retailers. With the Open Electricity Market, you have the choice of buying electricity from: SP Group at the regulated tariff (no action is required if you choose this option); or An electricity retailer at a price plan that best meets your needs; or The wholesale electricity market at half-hourly wholesale electricity prices through SP Group. Regardless of who you buy your electricity from, your electricity supply will stay the same. This is because SP Group will continue to operate the national power grid and deliver electricity to everyone. Working with Retailers Our goal is to make switching processes convenient and efficient for all customers. SP will facilitate customer transfers between retailers and offer retailers one-stop utilities billing and call centre services. As the Market Support Services Licensee, SP continues to provide services such as: Opening and closing of utilities account Meter reading Meter data management Billing on Behalf of Retailers  If your Retailer Exits the Market You will be transferred to buy electricity from SP Group as a last resort.  Households and small businesses with an average monthly consumption of less than 4MWh will buy electricity at the regulated tariff rate. Larger businesses with an average monthly consumption of at least 4MWh will buy electricity at the wholesale electricity price. There will be no disruption to your electricity supply. You will continue to receive your electricity supply through the national power grid that is operated by SP Group. Making the Switch to a Retailer Residential Consumers Business Consumers For more information on Open Electricity Market Visit www.openelectricitymarket.com.sg Have a business enquiry? Interested to find out more how our integrated services can serve your business needs? Drop us an online enquiry, and our qualified professionals will reach out to you. Contact Us The Sunday Times - Open Electricity Market - How to save energy and moneyhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:4b271c9a-e89d-4c36-ae95-3f38f985c89c B14 | The Sunday Times | Sunday, September 1, 2019 Me & My Property Before investing in properties, entrepreneur Gerald Tan researches extensively such as viewing listings online. B11 The Energy Market Authority stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 electricity retailers pay a rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. ST FILE PHOTO Open electricity market: How to save energy and money About 34% of household consumers made switch, most on 24-month standard price plan Lorna Tan Invest Editor The nationwide roll-out of the Open Electricity Market (OEM) has been completed so consumers have the power to choose who to buy electricity from and potentially lower their power bills. The roll-out started with a soft launch to households and businesses in Jurong in April last year and ended with the last zone in May, with around 1.6 million accounts or households connected. You would have received a notification package and a booklet on how to switch out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 retailers. The option to choose from these electricity retailers comes with benefits like competitive pricing and innovative offers such as cash rebates if paying via selected credit cards. About 34 per cent of household consumers have made a switch. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched pay an electricity rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. Retailers are offering rates ranging from 17.66 cents/kWh (kilowatt hour ) to 23.01 cents/kWh for their fixed price plans and discounts ranging from 14.5 per cent to 25 per cent off the regulated tariff plans. Most households that switched signed up for 24-month standard price plans. The fixed-price plans have seen a higher take-up than the discount off the regulated tariff plans, the EMA said. Bear in mind that you should buy electricity only from retailers authorised by the EMA. And buying electricity from a retailer does not change the way power is physically supplied to you because SP will continue to operate the national grid. For those who have not switched to an electricity retailer, there is no time pressure as you can change at any time and you can continue to buy electricity from SP at the regulated tariff as you do today. The Sunday Times highlights the role of SP, and the various plans and factors to consider so you can make an informed decision on the price plan that best suits your needs. SP’s role in OEM SP does not generate or sell electricity. It buys it from power generation companies and distributes it to consumers at zero markup. SP has continued to own, operate and maintain the national electricity grid since the OEM. It transmits and distributes electricity to all consumers. This ensures a reliable supply, regardless of your choice of retailer. SP also acts as a safeguard. If a retailer ceases operations, SP Group will take over the accounts at the default tariff price and continue to supply electricity to consumers. SP’s Wholesale Price Plan Consumers can choose from any of the 12 retailers (the list may change over time), selecting one of the many price plans that best suits their needs. Some consumers may not be aware that they can also buy directly from the wholesale electricity market via SP. This is because SP offers two price plans – the regulated tariff and a wholesale price. Consumers who prefer to keep How they compare Name Best Electricity Diamond Electric Geneco iSwitch Keppel Electric Ohm Electricity PacificLight SembCorp Power Senoko Energy Sunseap Tuas Power Union Power NOTE: Table as at Aug 26, 2019. Type of plans offered Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Wholesale market rate plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan the status quo can choose to remain with SP on the regulated tariff that is set by the EMA. When the market was progressively liberalised from 2001, commercial and industrial customers with higher consumptions already had a choice of buying electricity at a tariffed rate or at a wholesale price Contract length 6 months/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 2 years No contract/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 3 months/2 years 2 years No contract/6 months/ 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year No contract 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 1 year No contract 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 1.5 years/2 years/3 years 6 months/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/2 years Source: SEEDLY.SG SUNDAY TIMES GRAPHICS from SP Group, or at retail price from the big generation companies such as Sembcorp, Tuas, Senoko and Geneco (formerly Seraya). Residential customers had the option of the wholesale price when their respective zones opened up, starting with Jurong in April last year. Price plans available to consumers REGULATED TARIFF This price plan is regulated and set by the EMA quarterly. The tariff takes into consideration the longterm cost of producing electricity and looks to protect consumers from volatile oil and gas prices. As this is a regulated price, SP does not have the flexibility of lowering it by bundling with other offers and service partners. Who is suited for this? Typically, consumers with low electricity consumption prefer to stick to the option they are familiar with and not bother with gimmicks or additional terms and conditions. The tariffed price is stable and regulated. WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY PRICE You can choose to buy electricity directly from the wholesale market at no mark-up. As the prices are determined by market forces, they are the lowest price out there. However, prices fluctuate due to demand and supply of real-time electricity consumption across Singapore. On a day when heavy industries consume a lot of electricity, the demand is high and hence the price is higher compared with night hours when these heavy industries shut down. Who is suited for this? This can be considered by consumers who are more savvy, who do not mind the volatility of real-time electricity costs that change every 30 minutes, and if they tend to consume power more in the night (for example, by using air conditioning) when prices are cheaper than in the day time. In addition, there is no fixed term tied to this option so you can terminate as and when you want. RETAIL PRICE There are multiple plans that are offered by retailers. They can be grouped into: • Fixed price – A fixed price per kilowatt of electricity. A household on this plan will pay a constant rate (for example, 20 cents/kWh) throughout the contract duration. Note that the rates retailers offer may be higher or lower than the regulated tariff. • Discount-off tariff – Discount based on a fixed percentage off the regulated tariff. The family that opts for this plan will get a fixed discount off the prevailing regulated tariff (for example, 5 per cent) throughout the contract duration. The regulated tariff is reviewed by SP Group quarterly and approved by the EMA. While these two plans are relatively cheaper compared with the regulated tariff and could be creatively bundled with other offerings and service partners, they look at the short-term cost of producing electricity, which is why they tend to be tied to a one- or two-year lock-up period. Who is suited for this? It is important that you understand the terms and conditions before signing up for a plan. Check things like whether you need to pay a fee if you terminate the plan and make a switch. Do not make the decision to switch to a retailer simply based on price. Assess your lifestyle needs and consumption patterns. In general, if you are looking at locking up a fixed price for the next one or two years, getting a fixedpriced plan is an option. Others who would like a fixed discount over the regulated tariff can opt for the discount-off tariff plan. Some retailers also offer green-energy plans that are catered towards consumers who want to do their part for the environment. Making comparisons There are more than 100 different plans offered by electricity retailers. You can visit compare.openelectricitymarket.sg to make price comparisons. Seedly has also launched an Electricity Market price comparison tool which compares the plans based on user reviews, rates, housing type, promotional codes and deals in the market. Over at UOB Bank, its UOB Utility Marketplace makes it easy for consumers to compare providers and plans through its Electricity Price Plan Recommender. lornatan@sph.com.sg Understanding the electricity tariff SP Group does not have a retailer licence and can only supply electricity to consumers at the regulated tariff rate. About 75 per cent of the tariff goes directly to generation companies as SP passes down the cost directly without any mark-up. Approximately 24 per cent of the regulated tariff goes to SP for grid charges and a market-support services fee. This component of the tariff works out to approximately five to six cents, and goes towards operating, maintaining and upgrading the national electricity grid. While energy costs have gone up and down through the years, SP says the fees for maintaining the grid have been kept stable over the past decade. SP Group is believed to be the most reliable energy distributor in the world, based on the average length of electricity interruption experienced by users. According to the System Average Interruption Duration Index, Singapore’s score is under a minute, next best is Osaka at five minutes. Energy-saving tips Electricity is generated here by burning natural gas and oil, which releases pollutants and greenhouse gases. These trap heat from the sun and keep it from escaping, causing the earth to become warmer, which in turn changes climates everywhere. When we use electricity wisely, there will be less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases. So it’s important to do our part to practise good energy conservation habits. Here are some household energy-savings tips from Singapore Power and the National Environment Agency. LIVING ROOM • Choose energy-saving lighting such as LED bulbs instead of incandescent lamps. • Always switch off electrical appliances at the power socket. Standby power can account for up to 10 per cent of home energy use. BEDROOM • Service your air-conditioners and clean the filters regularly to ensure optimal working condition. • Set the air-conditioner temperature to 25 deg C or higher. The lower the temperature, the more electricity is used. • Close doors and windows when the air-conditioning is on. • Use a laptop instead of desktop as it uses less electricity. KITCHEN • Cover liquids and food stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered items release moisture, forcing the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Allow food to cool before putting it into the refrigerator. Hot food causes the compressor to work harder to keep the temperature low. • Match the size of the pot with the size of the burner. This is because energy is lost when small pots are used on larger burners. • Wash with an optimal load to maximise energy savings. Lorna Tan Publishedandprinted bySingapore Press Holdings Limited. Co. Regn.No. 198402868E. Amember of AuditBureauof CirculationsSingapore. CustomerService(Circulation): 6388-3838,circs@sph.com.sg, Fax 6746-1925. Searchhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/search?tag=open-electricity-market Search Open Electricity Markethttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/our-services/utilities/open-electricity-market OverviewUtilities Quick Guide ResidentialUtilities Quick Guide CommercialGo green, go paperlessTariff informationOpen Electricity MarketFAQsForm & ResourcesChat with Us Open Electricity Market The Open Electricity Market is an initiative by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) that allows you to enjoy more choices and flexibility when buying electricity. You can benefit from competitive pricing and innovative offers from retailers. With the Open Electricity Market, you have the choice of buying electricity from: SP Group at the regulated tariff (no action is required if you choose this option); or An electricity retailer at a price plan that best meets your needs; or The wholesale electricity market at half-hourly wholesale electricity prices through SP Group. Regardless of who you buy your electricity from, your electricity supply will stay the same. This is because SP Group will continue to operate the national power grid and deliver electricity to everyone. Working with Retailers Our goal is to make switching processes convenient and efficient for all customers. SP will facilitate customer transfers between retailers and offer retailers one-stop utilities billing and call centre services. As the Market Support Services Licensee, SP continues to provide services such as: Opening and closing of utilities account Meter reading Meter data management Billing on Behalf of Retailers  If your Retailer Exits the Market You will be transferred to buy electricity from SP Group as a last resort.  Households and small businesses with an average monthly consumption of less than 4MWh will buy electricity at the regulated tariff rate. Larger businesses with an average monthly consumption of at least 4MWh will buy electricity at the wholesale electricity price. There will be no disruption to your electricity supply. You will continue to receive your electricity supply through the national power grid that is operated by SP Group. Making the Switch to a Retailer Residential Consumers Business Consumers For more information on Open Electricity Market Visit www.openelectricitymarket.com.sg Have a business enquiry? Interested to find out more how our integrated services can serve your business needs? Drop us an online enquiry, and our qualified professionals will reach out to you. Contact Us The Sunday Times - Open Electricity Market - How to save energy and moneyhttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/jcr:4b271c9a-e89d-4c36-ae95-3f38f985c89c B14 | The Sunday Times | Sunday, September 1, 2019 Me & My Property Before investing in properties, entrepreneur Gerald Tan researches extensively such as viewing listings online. B11 The Energy Market Authority stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 electricity retailers pay a rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. ST FILE PHOTO Open electricity market: How to save energy and money About 34% of household consumers made switch, most on 24-month standard price plan Lorna Tan Invest Editor The nationwide roll-out of the Open Electricity Market (OEM) has been completed so consumers have the power to choose who to buy electricity from and potentially lower their power bills. The roll-out started with a soft launch to households and businesses in Jurong in April last year and ended with the last zone in May, with around 1.6 million accounts or households connected. You would have received a notification package and a booklet on how to switch out of buying electricity from SP Power to one of the 12 retailers. The option to choose from these electricity retailers comes with benefits like competitive pricing and innovative offers such as cash rebates if paying via selected credit cards. About 34 per cent of household consumers have made a switch. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) stated earlier this year that consumers who have switched pay an electricity rate that is about 20 to 30 per cent lower than the regulated tariff. Retailers are offering rates ranging from 17.66 cents/kWh (kilowatt hour ) to 23.01 cents/kWh for their fixed price plans and discounts ranging from 14.5 per cent to 25 per cent off the regulated tariff plans. Most households that switched signed up for 24-month standard price plans. The fixed-price plans have seen a higher take-up than the discount off the regulated tariff plans, the EMA said. Bear in mind that you should buy electricity only from retailers authorised by the EMA. And buying electricity from a retailer does not change the way power is physically supplied to you because SP will continue to operate the national grid. For those who have not switched to an electricity retailer, there is no time pressure as you can change at any time and you can continue to buy electricity from SP at the regulated tariff as you do today. The Sunday Times highlights the role of SP, and the various plans and factors to consider so you can make an informed decision on the price plan that best suits your needs. SP’s role in OEM SP does not generate or sell electricity. It buys it from power generation companies and distributes it to consumers at zero markup. SP has continued to own, operate and maintain the national electricity grid since the OEM. It transmits and distributes electricity to all consumers. This ensures a reliable supply, regardless of your choice of retailer. SP also acts as a safeguard. If a retailer ceases operations, SP Group will take over the accounts at the default tariff price and continue to supply electricity to consumers. SP’s Wholesale Price Plan Consumers can choose from any of the 12 retailers (the list may change over time), selecting one of the many price plans that best suits their needs. Some consumers may not be aware that they can also buy directly from the wholesale electricity market via SP. This is because SP offers two price plans – the regulated tariff and a wholesale price. Consumers who prefer to keep How they compare Name Best Electricity Diamond Electric Geneco iSwitch Keppel Electric Ohm Electricity PacificLight SembCorp Power Senoko Energy Sunseap Tuas Power Union Power NOTE: Table as at Aug 26, 2019. Type of plans offered Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Wholesale market rate plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Peak and off-peak plan Non-standard Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan Fixed-rate plan Discount-off tariff plan the status quo can choose to remain with SP on the regulated tariff that is set by the EMA. When the market was progressively liberalised from 2001, commercial and industrial customers with higher consumptions already had a choice of buying electricity at a tariffed rate or at a wholesale price Contract length 6 months/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 2 years No contract/1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years/3 years 3 months/2 years 2 years No contract/6 months/ 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year No contract 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year 1 year/2 years/3 years 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 1 year No contract 1 year/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 6 months/1 year/2 years 1.5 years/2 years/3 years 6 months/2 years 1 year/2 years 6 months/2 years Source: SEEDLY.SG SUNDAY TIMES GRAPHICS from SP Group, or at retail price from the big generation companies such as Sembcorp, Tuas, Senoko and Geneco (formerly Seraya). Residential customers had the option of the wholesale price when their respective zones opened up, starting with Jurong in April last year. Price plans available to consumers REGULATED TARIFF This price plan is regulated and set by the EMA quarterly. The tariff takes into consideration the longterm cost of producing electricity and looks to protect consumers from volatile oil and gas prices. As this is a regulated price, SP does not have the flexibility of lowering it by bundling with other offers and service partners. Who is suited for this? Typically, consumers with low electricity consumption prefer to stick to the option they are familiar with and not bother with gimmicks or additional terms and conditions. The tariffed price is stable and regulated. WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY PRICE You can choose to buy electricity directly from the wholesale market at no mark-up. As the prices are determined by market forces, they are the lowest price out there. However, prices fluctuate due to demand and supply of real-time electricity consumption across Singapore. On a day when heavy industries consume a lot of electricity, the demand is high and hence the price is higher compared with night hours when these heavy industries shut down. Who is suited for this? This can be considered by consumers who are more savvy, who do not mind the volatility of real-time electricity costs that change every 30 minutes, and if they tend to consume power more in the night (for example, by using air conditioning) when prices are cheaper than in the day time. In addition, there is no fixed term tied to this option so you can terminate as and when you want. RETAIL PRICE There are multiple plans that are offered by retailers. They can be grouped into: • Fixed price – A fixed price per kilowatt of electricity. A household on this plan will pay a consta