Tracking of Electricity Usage to Help Residents Save on Utility Bills
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui’s inquiry on whether smart metering will be implemented for electricity and how to expedite the Smart Water Meter Programme. Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that smart water meters enable residents to track consumption and detect leaks through a dedicated digital portal. Despite a global microchip shortage, PUB aims to install 300,000 meters across estates like Bukit Batok and Jurong West by next year. Currently, 3,000 households in Tampines Central utilize hourly data and water-saving tips to manage their utility bills effectively. PUB will review this initial phase and consider technological advances before progressively rolling out the programme to the rest of Singapore.
Transcript
58 Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment with regard to the Smart Water Meter Programme (a) whether there are similar plans for the programme to be implemented for electric metering; and (b) what are the ways to expedite the rollout of the programme to assist residents to save on their utility bills and to provide greater insights for residents to reduce consumption in support of the SG Green Plan.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The Smart Water Meter Programme is being rolled out progressively across Singapore. A Smart Water Meter records volume of water used and transmits the data remotely to PUB daily via digital communications network, thus removing the need for manual readings. Such data would enable PUB to better optimise water demand management and customers to better track and manage their water usage habits.
Under the first phase of the programme, PUB has commenced the installation of smart water meters in Tampines Central since January this year. Some 3,000 households now have access to daily and hourly water consumption data through the MySmartWaterMeter customer portal, which also provides residents with suspected leak alerts and useful water-saving tips to help them reduce their water bills.
The global shortage of microchips has led to some delay in the rolling out of smart water meters. Nevertheless, PUB still aims to install about 300,000 smart water meters in Bukit Batok, Hougang, Jurong West, Tuas, Tampines and Tengah by next year under the first phase of the programme.
PUB is, concurrently, preparing for the next phase of the Smart Water Meter Programme to install smart water meters in the rest of Singapore. PUB will review the rollout of the first phase, build up its capabilities and expertise, and take into account advances in technology before implementing smart water meters for the rest of Singapore.