Power Supply yesterday announced a reduction in electricity tariffs, ranging from 8.7 per cent to 13.1 per cent, for all customers. Domestic users will pay 15.02 cents per kilowatt hour (kwh) instead of the present 16.46 cents. (Straits Times 28 Dec 2001)(3)

  All seven wafer-fabrication plants here have signed a deal with the Public Utilities Board (PUB) to switch from potable water to "Newater" - sewage water that has been treated and ultra-purified. These plants operate in Tampines, Pasir Ris and Woodlands. The use of recycled water means that by 2010, more fresh water will be available for drinking here - 55 mgd, or about 15 per cent of total consumption. Desalination, which generates drinking water from the sea, will produce another 30 mgd by 2005. Singapore now consumes about 300 mgd. (Straits Times 31 Aug 2001)(3)

  Energy company Singapore Power will pilot the district cooling concept - where a centralised chilling system sees to the air-conditioning needs of a large number of buildings, instead of each one having its own expensive cooling system - in the new downtown area at Marina South. The Singapore Power subsidiary, Singapore District Cooling (SDC) has been granted the concession to build the first district cooling plant in Marina South. The S$100 million plant will begin operation in late 2004, when the first development in Marina South is ready. (Straits Times 16 Aug 2001)(1)

  In 1988, only 19 per cent, or about one in five households, had aircons but in 1998, the figure rose to 58 per cent, or about six in 10 households, a three-fold increase. The more widespread use of the aircon and the increasing use of electrical gadgets are reasons why the energy bill for most households have shot up by at least 10 per cent across the board since 1995, with that for three-room and four-room flats showing the sharpest rise. (Straits Times 11 Aug 2001)(H9)

  Work starts in June 2001 on a billion-dollar network of tunnels that will free the new downtown at Marina South of traffic disruptions due to digging of roads to repair or lay service cables. The 20-km-long underground network, which will house and distribute utility services, will be the first of its kind in South-east Asia. (Straits Times 30 May 2001)

  From September 2001, companies here will be able to buy their power directly from power generation companies, under a market liberalisation plan which might push down prices. Households will follow suit in 2003. The two-year lead time will allow the Energy Market Authority (EMA) to work out details such as whether to install energy meters in each home or just to bill residents based on what they are expected to consume. (Straits Times 25 Apr 2001)

  Some 150,000 Power Supply customers affected by its delay in billing them will get four months to pay each delayed bill and will not be asked to hand over a lump sum. The interest-free instalment scheme will cost the power company S$40 million in interest foregone, but may help to restore its tarnished image. Power Supply, a subsidiary of Singapore Power, came under fire after a new S$35 million computer system installed last June botched the billing of some 12% of its 1.2 million account holders. For more information, call their 24-hr helpline: (65) 1800-235-6841. (Straits Times 7 Apr 2001)

    Singapore Power subsidiary Power Supply said on 2 Apr 2001 that domestic customers and small businesses which receive low-tension supplies would be paying 13.4%, or 2.66 cents, less to 17.21 cents per KWh. Those who use high-tension supplies, such as hotels and factories, will see tariffs decreasing by 9.9%. The rates will go down by 11.4% for those which use high-tension supplies, such as petrochemical plants and water-fab plants. Electricity costs for low-tension customers have been increased three times since May last year. (Straits Times 3 Apr 2001)