This rise from the previous quarter is mainly due to the “higher cost of natural gas for electricity generation”, said SP Group. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE — Electricity tariffs will increase by an average of 6.4 per cent, or 1.43 cents per kWh, for the period of 1 July to 30 September.

This rise from the previous quarter is mainly due to the “higher cost of natural gas for electricity generation”, said SP Group in a news release on Saturday (29 June). According to media reports, this is the greatest increase seen since the October to December period in 2014.

Discounting the 7 per cent goods and services tax (GST), the electricity tariff will increase from 22.79 cents to 24.22 cents per kWh for the third quarter. This means that the average monthly electricity bill for families living in four-room HDB flats will rise by $5.20 before GST, said SP Group.

View photos (GRAPHIC: SP Group) More

View photos (GRAPHIC: SP Group) More

The electricity tariffs are reviewed on a quarterly basis based on guidelines set by the Energy Market Authority.

On 26 June, the Ministry of Finance announced that some 930,000 eligible HDB households will be receiving quarterly vouchers to help offset their utilities bills. These U-Save vouchers will be valued at up to $100 depending on flat type and will include an additional $20 a year from 2019 to 2021.

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