SINGAPORE — The household electricity and gas tariffs will increase for the July to September period due to higher energy costs. 

Compared with the previous quarter, the electricity tariff will increase by 0.3 per cent or 0.09 cent per kWh on average before Goods and Services Tax (GST), national grid operator SP Group said on Friday (June 28). 

For families living in Housing and Development Board (HDB) four-room flats, this translates to an increase in the average monthly electricity bill by S$0.35 before GST. 

The gas tariff before GST will also increase by 0.30 cent per kilowatt hour, from 23.12 cents per kWh to 23.42 cents per kWh for the coming quarter, said City Energy. 

SP Group, which owns and operates Singapore's electricity network, reviews the electricity tariffs every quarter based on guidelines set by the industry regulator, the Energy Market Authority (EMA).

City Energy also reviews the gas tariffs based on guidelines set by EMA.

REBATES FOR HOUSEHOLDS

More than 950,000 Singaporean households living in HDB flats will receive U-Save and service and conservancy charges (S&CC) rebates in July.

The rebates — disbursed in April, July, October and January each year — are part of the permanent GST Voucher (GSTV) scheme and the Assurance Package.

These rebates help to provide support for GST and cost-of-living expenses for lower- to middle-income households, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Friday. 

As announced at Budget 2024, additional U-Save will be provided to help Singaporean HDB households cope with increases in their utility bills. 

In total, eligible households will receive 2.5 times the amount of regular U-Save, or up to S$950, in FY2024. 

On average, MOF said this will cover about eight months of utility bills for those living in 1- and 2-room flats, and about four months of utility bills for those living in 3- and 4- room flats. 

Eligible households will also receive up to four months of S&CC rebates altogether this financial year. This includes the one-off Budget 2024 Cost-of-Living S&CC Rebate to offset 0.5 months of S&CC in January 2025. CNA