34% of household consumers switched from SP for electricity purchase as of end-June
SINGAPORE — About 34 per cent of household consumers have made the switch to purchasing electricity from suppliers other than Singapore Power Group as of end-June, said the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Wednesday (7 August).
The ministry was responding to Workers' Party chief and Aljunied GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Pritam Singh’s parliamentary questions on the Open Electricity Market (OEM).
In the written response, the MTI also noted that 98 per cent of OEM consumers who have switched to a retailer found the switching process easy, according to surveys commissioned by the Energy Market Authority (EMA), a statutory board under the ministry.
“The switching process for OEM consumers was designed to be simple and accessible to all, regardless of income or household types,” added the MTI.
Consumers can sign up with their preferred retailer via different channels, including online, over the phone, as well as at the retailer’s roadshows or physical stores.
The retailer will then work directly with SP Group to make the switch.
“We have also introduced the necessary consumer safeguards; OEM consumers have access to various avenues, such as the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) or the Small Claims Tribunal, for dispute resolution in the event of any contractual dispute with their retailers,” said the MTI.
It added that the EMA will continue to work with SP Group and retailers to provide a “positive consumer experience”.
From May, households and small businesses in Singapore can select from 12 authorised retailers they want to buy their electricity from, apart from SP Group, under the OEM.
If a retailer exits the market, customers will be transferred to SP Group by default.
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