Electrical installation licence, if your load is high
A licence from the Energy Market Authority (EMA) covering higher-load electrical installations, generally required above roughly 45kVA of connected load — the kind of load a commercial kitchen with heavy equipment can reach even where the average bar or café doesn’t.
Not yet independently verified — check the source link: EMA’s exact licensing thresholds and the precise scope of when a Licensed Electrical Worker sign-off is mandatory were not independently fetched from a single authoritative EMA page this pass. Confirm before relying on the 45kVA figure below.
A licence from the Energy Market Authority (EMA) covering higher-load electrical installations, generally required above roughly 45kVA of connected load — the kind of load a commercial kitchen with heavy equipment can reach even where the average bar or café doesn’t. Where it applies, you need a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) to design, install and sign off the installation.
Operating a high-load electrical installation without the required licensing and LEW sign-off is a safety and regulatory risk, and it is the kind of thing that surfaces at the worst possible time — during a fit-out inspection, an insurance claim, or after a fault. Confirm early whether your setup crosses the threshold, since retrofitting sign-off after installation is more disruptive than planning for it upfront.
We don’t yet have a vetted directory for Singapore — ask your landlord or trade association for a recommendation.
Who this is for
Any venue with a high electrical load — most likely a kitchen-heavy restaurant with multiple large appliances rather than a small drinks-only bar.
Applies above roughly 45kVA of connected load — confirm your actual load with an electrical contractor or LEW before assuming you’re under the threshold.
What you’ll hold
- LEW sign-off / installation certificate for your electrical works
Watch out for
- Assuming a small venue is automatically under the threshold without checking actual connected load — a kitchen-heavy fit-out can cross it even in a modest-sized unit.
- Engaging a general electrical contractor for high-load work instead of a Licensed Electrical Worker specifically — the sign-off has to come from someone holding the right licence.
- Leaving this until after the kitchen equipment is ordered — load planning should happen alongside equipment selection, not after it.
Sources
- EMA — Energy Market Authority checked 2026-09-08
See also
- Gas fitting by a licensed gas service worker
- Electrical installation periodic inspection— this becomes an ongoing job once you’re open →
This is item 7 of 36 in the free Singapore Launch Checklist. See the whole list →