SERANGOON GARDEN ESTATE (Provision of power supply from underground cables)

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua asked the Minister for Trade and Industry if there is any immediate plan to provide power supply to the homes of Serangoon Garden Estate from underground cables as presently most of the homes in the estate receive their power supply from overhead cables which are unsightly and, if not, when he intends to do so.

The Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Lee Yock Suan): Mr Speaker, Sir, PowerGrid has been converting and will continue to convert power supply from overhead cables to underground cables at the request of residents in private residential estates. Residents are required to pay a standard connection charge and engage a licensed electrical contractor to shift their electricity supply intake point to the front of their houses, and provide the necessary lead-in pipes up to the fence so that they can tap from the underground mains located along the roads. However, PowerGrid will not be able to remove the overhead cables if even one resident decides to continue with overhead supply.

My Ministry will study whether to legislate such that PowerGrid will be able to proceed to convert power supply from overhead cables to underground cables if a large majority, say, 75% of affected residents agree to the conversion.