SINGAPORE, Oct 24 — In the future, a quick tap of the phone could tell you if you are using too much electricity or water each month. 

The authorities are calling for proposals to trial a system that can read electricity, gas and water meters remotely so that consumers can use such data to better manage their consumption patterns.

In a media statement released today, the Energy Market Authority, national water agency PUB and the Singapore Power said they were issuing a call for proposals to develop technical solutions for a smart metering trial.

"This trial is aimed at enabling electricity, gas and water meters to be read remotely, and providing more timely usage data to consumers to help them better manage their utility consumption,” the agencies said in the joint statement.

At present, most of the electricity meters are cumulative ones that are read manually once every two months, together with the gas and water meters. 

The call for proposal will have parties develop and trial smart solutions that can remotely read all three meters reliably and cost-effectively. 

In addition, interested parties will also have to develop a mobile application to provide consumers with timely information on their electricity, water and gas consumption through their mobile phones and tablets. 

This will improve consumers’ awareness of their consumption patterns, the agencies said. 

Interested parties have till February next year to submit their proposals and more details will be available on SPRING’s website from November 2.

Chief Executive of EMA Ng Wai Choong noted that with more timely information, hopefully consumers will be able to better manage their energy and water consumption and hence, reduce their utility bills.

It was announced in August that the utilities bill has been redesigned to help residents track and reduce energy and water consumption. 

The layout allows consumers to view their utility usage, and compare it against the average consumption of their neighbours living in similar housing types or streets, among other things.

Singapore Power’s Group chief executive officer Wong Kim Yin noted that the trial would build on the smart electricity metering system Singapore is deploying island-wide, to help consumers save energy and cost.

"The next-generation solutions will complement initiatives like the redesigned utilities bill and our public education programmes to encourage everyone to make energy-saving a way of life,” he added. — TODAY