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The Star
28-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Not feasible for Singapore to avoid net‑zero; all options to cut energy emissions on table
SINGAPORE: It is no longer feasible nor practical for Singapore to avoid working towards a net-zero future, said Dr Tan See Leng (pic), Singapore's Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology. Fluctuations in the prices of fossil fuels due to geopolitical conflicts have driven up energy prices. Dealing with the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, is also critical for Singapore, he said. 'Energy is existential for us, just like water was existential in the 90s,' said Dr Tan in his first formal interview as Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology on July 21. The portfolio sits under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and was created in the latest round of Cabinet changes in May. Dr Tan was previously Second Minister for Trade and Industry, and he continues to helm the Manpower Ministry in the new Cabinet. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had said that science and technology are key drivers of growth, while energy – especially clean energy – will be an important part of his Government's agenda. Singapore now relies on natural gas, a fossil fuel, for about 95 per cent of its energy needs. The Republic's goal is to reach net-zero emissions – where the total amount of emissions is balanced by activities to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere – by 2050. Achieving this would require the energy sector, which makes up about 40 per cent of the nation's total emissions, to cut its emissions. Dr Tan said Singapore is exploring all possible options in its energy transition to ensure its energy needs are met in a sustainable, resilient and cost-effective way. 'Nothing is off the table. We will explore every single pathway, every single possibility, and... make sure it is cost-effective and sustainable,' he said. During the 90-minute interview, Dr Tan fielded a range of questions about Singapore's energy future, from developments in the Asean power grid, to the country's exploration of nuclear and geothermal energy, and the role of emerging technologies such as carbon capture and storage. He acknowledged that Singapore's energy transition will result in higher costs, and said the Government will provide support to help people cope. For example, utility rebates such as the U-Save rebates help households to offset utility expenses, while climate vouchers are meant to encourage them to switch to green appliances. Meanwhile, he said the Government will work with businesses such as through energy efficiency grants to help them manage this impact. 'It is not going to be possible for the cost to not go up,' Dr Tan said. 'But what we will endeavour to do is to manage that gradient... and supplement it with rebates, with grants to help our local population, our households and businesses.' Dr Tan said that in the near term, renewable energy imports hold the most promise for Singapore. The Republic has limited access to renewable energy resources, so importing clean electricity generated elsewhere can help. In 2024, Singapore raised its low-carbon electricity import target from four gigawatts (GW) to six GW by 2035. This is expected to make up around a third of the country's energy needs by 2035. Dr Tan said there is a possibility to increase the target beyond this, depending on partnerships. The Asean power grid – which will allow countries to share renewable energy resources – is also gaining traction, with a growing number of bilateral discussions on the issue. For example, Singapore and Indonesia in June inked three key agreements to strengthen cooperation in clean energy and sustainable development, including agreements on cross-border electricity trade. A regional grid is a win-win for countries importing and exporting renewable energy, Dr Tan noted. It will not only help Asean achieve its net-zero ambitions earlier, he said, but also bring about economic growth to the countries. 'Given the vast amount of potential that is within Asean itself, you could unlock significant economic opportunities,' he added. A US-Singapore study on energy connectivity in South-East Asia had assessed that building the Asean power grid can generate US$2 billion (S$2.6 billion) annually in research and development, and create as many as 9,000 jobs a year. Asked if the breakdown of multilateralism around the world helped to focus attention on the importance of the regional grid, Dr Tan said: 'I think that in a way, we've all been encouraged as a result of all of the recent developments.' He added: 'I don't think there's any one major particular push. It's a whole series of nudges. I think the tariffs could also be one of those reminders to encourage all of us to come together and work even more closely as one united Asean.' Dr Tan said the other pathways that Singapore is exploring – such as the use of carbon capture technologies, the potential of hydrogen as a clean fuel, or tapping nuclear energy – are 'still some distance away'. 'So I think in the foreseeable next five years, you will see a lot of work on renewable energy imports, and at the same time, still natural gas, and how to decarbonise natural gas.' Calling his new portfolio a 'redesignation' since he had also overseen energy issues as Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr Tan said the new title will help him up the ante in international partnerships. 'It allows a more seamless coordination across the different government agencies within Singapore and also at the same time, when we negotiate internationally,' he said, noting that many countries have dedicated energy ministers. Dr Tan said that while progress on the Asean grid has been made, challenges remain. These include logistical issues like the need to upgrade existing infrastructure to transfer energy. This is where Singapore could step in to provide investments, such as initial funding to crowd in more capital for cross-border energy projects. For example, the Government has appointed Singapore Energy Interconnections, a newly incorporated government-linked company, to specialise in developing cross-border power infrastructure. Singapore's S$10 billion Future Energy Fund – set up to catalyse investments in clean energy technology that may involve high upfront costs and significant commercial, technological and geopolitical risks – could also provide initial funding. But to attract other sources of capital, such as from the private sector, government-to-government frameworks will be needed to give investors greater certainty, said Dr Tan. That would improve the 'bankability' of such projects, he said. 'I think it will attract significant investments, both from public capital, private capital, and even longer-term philanthropic capital.' Going forward, Dr Tan said natural gas will likely remain a core pillar in Singapore's energy mix. But its share will change depending on the development of technologies. 'A good position for Singapore is that by the mid-2040s, natural gas will be around just slightly below 50 per cent of our mix,' he said. - The Straits Times/ANN
Independent Singapore
01-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Over 950,000 eligible Singaporean households to get U-Save, S&CC rebates this July
SINGAPORE: Over 950,000 Singaporean households living in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats will receive up to S$190 in U-Save rebates and up to a month of Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates this July to help with utilities and estate upkeep charges, depending on their flat type, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said in a press release on Monday (June 30). The payouts are part of the permanent GST Voucher (GSTV) scheme and enhanced Assurance Package, aimed at supporting lower- to middle-income HDB households. The rebates are given out every quarter in April, July, October, and January. July's disbursement marks the second round for the financial year. Over the full financial year, eligible households can receive up to S$760 in U-Save rebates and up to 3.5 months of S&CC rebates, depending on their flat type. Eligible households do not need to take any action. The U-Save rebates will be credited directly to their utility accounts with SP Services, while the S&CC rebates will go straight into their respective town councils. Residents who want to check their eligibility for S&CC rebates can log in to My HDBPage on the HDB InfoWEB using their SingPass. /TISG Read also: Over 950,000 eligible Singaporeans to receive first U-Save and S&CC rebates this April, but netizen says it's 'temporary handouts meant to sway votes' Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
New Paper
30-06-2025
- Business
- New Paper
Some 950,000 Singaporean households to get U-Save, S&CC rebates in July
Close to a million Singaporean HDB households will receive rebates to their utility and conservancy bills in July, as part of a government scheme to help them with cost of living. Depending on their HDB flat type, eligible households will receive up to $190 in U-Save for their utility bills, and a maximum of a month of rebates for their service and conservancy charges (S&CC), the Ministry of Finance said in a statement on June 30. For example, people living in a four-room flat will get $150 and half a month respectively in rebates for their U-Save and S&CC. Those in one- and two-room flats will get $190 and a month respectively. The utility and S&CC rebates will be automatically credited to the eligible household's accounts with grid operator SP Services and the town councils, respectively. These rebates are part of a permanent GST Voucher scheme and the enhanced Assurance Package to help lower- and middle-income households cope with the increasing cost of living and increase Goods and Services Tax. They are disbursed every three months - in April, July, October and January - each year. In total, eligible Singaporean HDB households will receive up to $760 of U-Save rebates in fiscal year 2025. Meanwhile, eligible households can expect to receive a total of up to 3.5 months of S&CC rebates in fiscal year 2025. To be eligible for the U-Save rebate, there must be at least one Singaporean owner or occupier in the household if the flat is partially rented out or not rented out. If the entire Housing Board flat is rented out, there must be at least one Singaporean tenant. Households with people who own more than one property are not eligible for U-Save rebates, said the Finance Ministry. The following households are not eligible for the S&CC rebate: Those with no Singaporean flat owner or occupier in the flat Those whose flat owners or essential occupiers own or hold interest in a private property Those who have rented out the entire flat To check on their eligibility for S&CC rebates, members of the public can log in to the My HDBPage with their Singpass. In its statement, the ministry also reminded the public that government officials will not ask them to transfer money or disclose banking details over a call.
International Business Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- International Business Times
Over 950,000 Singaporean Households to Receive U-Save and S&CC Rebates This July
Over 950,000 Singaporean households living in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats will receive rebates in July 2025 to help cover some of the expenses associated with paying their utilities and housing estate maintenance fees. The Ministry of Finance said in a news release on Monday, June 30, that the rebates for U-Save and the Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) are part of the government's enhanced Assurance Package and the permanent GST Voucher scheme to help residents cope with the rising costs of living. The rebates will assist the lower- to middle-income HDB households in defraying their utility costs and S&CC. The remaining two quarterly disbursements for the fiscal year 2025 will be distributed in October and January of the following year. This is the second one. Depending on the type of HDB flat, qualifying households will receive up to S$190 (US$149) in U-Save next month. In the fiscal year 2025, eligible HDB households in Singapore will receive a total of up to S$760 in U-Save rebates. Depending on the type of HDB flat, qualified households will also receive S&CC rebates for up to one month in July. During the fiscal year 2025, eligible households will receive S&CC rebates for a maximum of three and a half months. The latest announcement came on the back of a separate MOF announcement that household electricity and gas tariffs are set to be lowered for the period of July to September. Eligible households are not required to do anything in order to receive the S&CC and U-Save rebates. While the S&CC rebates will be credited directly to their S&CC accounts with their respective town councils, the U-Save rebates will be credited directly to their utility accounts with utilities provider SP Services.
Online Citizen
30-06-2025
- Business
- Online Citizen
Nearly 1 million HDB households to receive rebates in July as energy tariffs fall
SINGAPORE: Close to a million Singaporean households living in HDB flats will receive rebates for utilities and service charges in July. The disbursement is part of ongoing efforts by the government to address cost-of-living pressures amid rising prices. According to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on 30 June 2025, the rebates are part of the permanent GST Voucher scheme and the enhanced Assurance Package. Eligible households will receive up to S$190 in U-Save rebates for utility bills and up to one month's worth of service and conservancy charges (S&CC) rebates. The amounts vary according to flat type. Households in one- and two-room flats will receive the maximum of S$190 in U-Save and a full month's S&CC rebate. Those living in four-room flats will receive S$150 in U-Save and a half-month of S&CC rebates. The rebates will be automatically credited. U-Save rebates go to households' SP Services accounts, while S&CC rebates are sent to town council accounts. In total, eligible households can receive up to S$760 in U-Save rebates and up to 3.5 months' worth of S&CC rebates in the 2025 financial year. The rebates are distributed quarterly in April, July, October, and January. Eligibility is based on citizenship status and property ownership. For U-Save rebates, a household must have at least one Singaporean owner or occupier. If the flat is entirely rented out, there must be at least one Singaporean tenant. Households where individuals own more than one property are not eligible for U-Save rebates. To qualify for S&CC rebates, there must be a Singaporean flat owner or occupier, and none of the owners or essential occupiers should own private property. Flats that have been fully rented out are also ineligible. Residents can check their eligibility for S&CC rebates through My HDBPage using their Singpass. The Finance Ministry also issued a reminder that officials will never request money transfers or personal banking information via phone calls. Separately, national grid operator SP Group announced that electricity tariffs will decrease for the quarter from July to September 2025. The fall is attributed to lower energy costs, following steady rates in the previous quarter. Electricity tariffs will drop by 2.3 per cent, equivalent to a reduction of 0.65 cent per kWh before GST. This will bring the new electricity tariff to 27.47 cents per kWh before GST. As a result, families in HDB four-room flats can expect a reduction of about S$2.36 in their average monthly electricity bill, before GST. City Energy, the gas supplier, also announced a decrease in gas tariffs. The rate will drop from 22.72 cents per kWh to 22.28 cents per kWh, also due to lower fuel costs. Both SP Group and City Energy review tariffs quarterly, under guidelines from the Energy Market Authority (EMA). SP Group explained that the energy cost component of electricity tariffs is based on average natural gas prices in the first 2.5 months of the previous quarter. Tariffs are susceptible to fluctuations due to global fuel price volatility, which can be affected by geopolitical events, such as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Electricity tariffs consist of four components: energy costs paid to power generation companies, network costs paid to SP Group, market support service fees, and a fee to the Energy Market Company for operating the electricity wholesale market.
