By Jessica Lim

RISING electricity prices appear to have jolted Singaporeans into cutting down on their power consumption, according to official figures released yesterday.

The average household used 4per cent less electricity between May and August than it did during the same period last year, figures from SP Services reveal.

The households with the highest decline were five-room flats followed by private apartments.

New ways to help businesses cut power bills

By Shobana Kesava

NEW initiatives were announced yesterday to help businesses go green, part of a $50 million kitty that includes subsidies for technology, energy-saving equipment and energy audits.

The details come hot on the heels of stiff electricity tariff hikes, which sent companies scrambling to cut costs, and led to a string of complaints sent directly to Singapore Power and to The Straits Times, and posted on blogs.

Many businesses said they would be keen to take up energy-saving measures, at a time when they are bracing themselves for a double blow.

SingPower explains electricity price increase

SINGAPORE Power (SP) said it does not keep any of the tariff increase that has been levied on users.

All of the extra cost goes into paying for the higher cost of fuel, said SP, the sole supplier of power to households and the majority of businesses here.

SP has come under fire since electricity prices began to rise this year.

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