Justice Bao Gong: Increase in Electricity Prices NOT justified

(Source: The Straits Times)


Good morning Singapore and the Rest of the World,

This is a good opportunity for everyone in the world to see what really happens in Singapore- Whatever the Government says is always correct and everyone else is wrong, regardless of the facts that are backing the man in the street.

Attached is the reply from Director of Corporate Communications, Energy Market Authority (EMA), which we assume should be responsible for the increase in the electricity tariffs, since they replied in the forum to our good man, Mr Bruno Serrien, who has written in to question on the increase of electricity tariffs at a time when oil prices have been falling.

Mr Bruno noted that electricity prices have shot up 48% in the past 12 months, whereas oil prices have went down. The reply from the director of Corporate Communications was that price of electricity is pegged to the cost of fuel, and she claims that the increase was necessary because of the 38% spike in FORWARD fuel oil price from US$83 to US$115 per barrel between April and July this year. She also mentioned they will also continue to help households to conserve energy and thus save on our electricity bills.

OK, let us analyse the statistics: From October 2007 last year, oil prices closed at US$81.27pb. Today's Crude Oil nov contract is US$73.07 as I type. Thus, there is a decrease of 10% in oil prices since last year, but electricity tariffs have went up by 48% in the past 12 months: So am I doing the sums wrongly or is it the Energy Market Authority (EMA)? Details of world oil prices can be found here.

Maybe we give the director the benefit of doubt, as there was a substantial increase in oil prices in the previous quarter. So, going by her calculation, by next quarter, we should have a decrease in electricity prices by 58%. Let us see how electricity is priced next quarter then. Bookmark our page & follow this blog & wait for our update on this issue.

In light of the need for more transparency and disclosure following the financial turmoil debacle such as structured products being widely mis-sold to retirees who have lost their life savings, Singaporeans and the world would want to see greater disclosure and transparency on how pricing is actually calculated- If there is no arbritrary increases in pricing, then why shy away from disclosure and transparency?

We hope that the increases are not passed down to consumers because of poor market hedging. We welcome ALL comments from everyone around the world. If you are an expert in oil and electricity pricing, kindly do assist the man in the street by giving us a comment on how oil prices affect retail electricity prices.

Your humble servant.


References:
The Straits Times
Energy Information Administration

Why the increases despite Worldwide Recession?

(Source: The Straits Times)
WORLD STOCK MARKETS ARE PLUNGING
DOW JONES DROP BELOW 10,000 MARK
NIKKEI DROPS BELOW 10,000 MARK
STI DROPPED TO 2,000
OIL PRICES PLUMMETED TO LOW of 86.03.
AUSTRALIA, CHINA, SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN CUTS INTEREST RATES.

World markets & interest rates are seeing record falls but
what happens in Singapore?

Singtel INCREASES its phone charges.
(Source: The Straits Times)

Singapore Government INCREASES Electricity Tariffs.

According to the report, Mr Tharman mentioned "price of electricity has risen much less than oil prices", but according to the facts, oil prices from Oct and Nov last year ranges from $80 - $90 which is similar to what the oil price right now, so the increase is not justifiable.
Citizens of Singapore are welcome to analyse the facts and figures here .

A silver lining would be STARHUB, who has done the community a service by providing free services rather than increase prices like Singtel. At times like this, the Government should be working to reduce inflation via reducing cost of land, property, transportation, energy costs and food costs instead of increasing it. (We all understand the need to boost the Government reserves due to the falling financial markets wiping out huge percentage of equity of sovereign wealth, hedge and private equity funds, but please, not at the expense of the man in the street).

At Justice Bao Gong, we welcome ALL constructive COMMENTS. Please do bookmark us, and forward this blog to your friends so that everyone can benefit from the articles. If you do know of a topic that affects the man in the street, do email us or drop us a comment. We will endeavour to research the topic and post it for the benefit of all.

Your humble servant.