SAVE ELECTRICITY CAMPAIGN (Response)

Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng asked the Minister for the Environment (a) who are the largest single group of energy users in Singapore; (b) is this group responding well to the "Save Electricity Campaign" recently launched by the Public Utilities Board, and (c) are there any other deterrent measures that the Board intends to adopt to discourage this group from further wastage of electricity.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, electricity consumers can be grouped under three headings. They are industrial, domestic, commercial and other users. The industrial users form the largest group. They use 50% of the electricity generated, followed by commercial and other users, 33%, and domestic users, 17%. It is too early, however, to tell whether there has been a significant drop in the consumption of electricity by the industries, as the "Save Electricity Campaign" was launched only in April and it will be some time before we can compile the necessary statistics to make a comparative study.

The Public Utilities Board is not considering any deterrent measures yet. The emphasis now is to advise the consumers on how to conserve energy and to seek their co-operation. There has been some good response. Some factories are responding. They are studying energy conservation measures. However, these measures again will require modifications to the factory infrastructure. Time, therefore, is required for such modifications, and savings in power can only be seen after the modifications have been effected.

Again, Mr Speaker, Sir, electricity consumption can be classified according to usage. Air-conditioning uses 26% of the electricity generated; lighting 11% and others 63%. It is possible to economise electricity consumption for air-conditioning without affecting production and efficiency. The PUB is working together with the Ministries of Finance and National Development to encourage owners to improve the insulation of their buildings. This would reduce the heat load on air-conditioners.