Connecting Utilities in Singapore: SP Group, PUB, and Broadband
Setting up utilities in a new Singapore home involves three distinct processes: electricity and gas through SP Group, water supply through PUB, and broadband through one of several licensed operators. Each has different application methods, timelines, and requirements depending on the property type.
Photo: Lionelleo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Electricity and Gas: SP Group
How to Apply
SP Group manages the electricity and piped town gas network across Singapore. To open a new account at a residential address, visit the SP Group website or use their mobile app. The application requires your NRIC or passport number, the property address, the planned move-in date, and a bank account for GIRO payment setup.
Applications can be submitted up to two weeks before the required start date. Processing takes approximately three working days. If you are moving into a property with an active connection under a previous occupant's account, the new account is typically activated on the same day the previous account is closed — provided the request is made in advance.
Electricity Tariff Structure
Singapore's electricity tariff is revised quarterly by the Energy Market Authority. Residential consumers are billed per kilowatt-hour. As of early 2026, tariffs are approximately SGD 0.3153 per kWh inclusive of GST, though this figure changes each quarter. SP Group bills monthly via GIRO. Physical bills can be requested but most accounts default to electronic billing.
Town Gas
Town gas is available in most HDB flats and some older condominiums. Newer developments typically use electric induction cooktops, making a gas connection unnecessary. If your new home has a gas hob or gas water heater, confirm with SP Group that the property's gas supply is active before your move-in date. Activation of a previously dormant gas connection requires an SP Group technician visit and cannot be done remotely.
Water Supply: PUB
When Water Is Already Connected
In most residential properties in Singapore, the water supply remains active regardless of occupant changes. PUB's account for the property is simply transferred to the new occupant. When taking possession, confirm with the landlord or agent that the PUB account is being transferred — the previous owner or tenant is responsible for closing their account, and the new account is opened in the incoming occupant's name.
PUB account transfers can be processed online via the PUB website using SingPass. The transfer takes effect on the agreed handover date. Water tariffs are tiered by volume — the first 40 cubic metres per household per month is billed at a lower rate, with higher consumption billed at a stepped premium rate.
Water Conservation Tax
Singapore applies a Water Conservation Tax (WCT) on top of the base tariff to encourage efficient consumption. As of 2026, the WCT adds 30% to the base water charge for consumption within the standard tier, and 45% for consumption above it. This tax is included in the monthly PUB bill.
Broadband and Home Internet
Provider Options
Singapore's residential broadband market is served primarily by Singtel, StarHub, and M1 (now operating under Singtel Group), with additional providers including MyRepublic and ViewQwest. All major providers use the national fibre network (OpenNet/NetLink Trust) for last-mile delivery, so speeds and reliability are largely comparable at the same tier. Price, contract terms, and bundled services differ.
Installation Timeline
Fibre broadband installation requires a technician visit to connect the optical network terminal (ONT) unit at your property. In most HDB flats, this unit is already installed; in newer developments and some condominiums, the connection point is in the riser room of the building. Appointment availability varies — bookings typically open two to three weeks in advance, and slots in the first week of a month fill quickly.
If you work from home, arranging the broadband installation appointment before or on the same day as your move is advisable. Some providers offer priority scheduling for new accounts, but this is not guaranteed.
Mobile as a Temporary Solution
All major Singapore mobile operators offer 5G home broadband plans on a month-to-month basis. These can be used as a temporary internet connection during the gap between moving in and fibre installation. Speeds are adequate for video calls and standard work applications in most parts of Singapore, though congestion during peak hours can affect performance in dense residential areas.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning units are a core utility in Singapore's climate. Before moving in, request that all units in the property receive a servicing appointment. Filters in vacated properties accumulate dust quickly, and a unit running on a clogged filter draws more electricity while cooling less effectively. Servicing costs typically range from SGD 30 to SGD 80 per unit depending on the type and condition.
For properties with centralised chilled water cooling systems — common in commercial-to-residential conversions and some premium developments — the building management provides the cooling supply and bills it separately from SP Group's electricity account.