Energy conservation in Singapore

Singapore is a highly industrialized city-state with no natural energy resources. The capacity of its oil refineries exceeds many times that required by local demand. The surplus of refined products is re-exported either directly or by fueling ships and aircraft using Singapore as a port of call. Half of the domestically consumed oil goes for generating electricity, the rest is used mainly for industry and motor transport. Energy policy is implemented by several government departments under the overall guidance of the Energy Co-ordination Committee. There are no subsidies for energy users and the prices of electricity and petroleum products are allowed to rise as dictated by the market. However, there are stiff penalties for excessive or inefficient use of electricity and even more far-reaching provisions aimed at discouraging ownership and usage of automobiles. The latter include a rapidly escalating registration fee for older and larger motor cars, and a special registration fee levied to permit entry to the central city area during business hours (aimed at encouraging the use of public transport by commuters). These provisions might appear draconian to an outsider, but they are necessary and are applied judiciously so as not to hurt the economy. They are also effective, as evidenced by the steady decrease of the energy content in the annual increments of the GNP. A publicity and educational campaign aimed at gaining public acceptance for this energy conservation policy has become a permanent feature of Singaporean life.