Energy

New mandatory electricity meter rollout in Cape Town

Caitlyn Hilliard-Lomas

 ·11 Aug 2026

The City of Cape Town says a mandatory meter replacement programme will take place over the next few months.

Areas such as Claremont, Kenilworth, and Wynberg will be undergoing the mandatory change for residential customers through December 2026. 

The City of Cape Town reported that its teams are available across the city to assist commercial customers. 

The initiative will replace old credit meters with prepaid meters and upgrade some old prepaid meters at no cost. 

When a customer’s turn comes, they will receive a letter or phone call to schedule an appointment. 

Once arranged, customers can confirm the booking’s authenticity by calling the City’s Call Centre or by sending an email.

The installation typically takes about one hour, assuming everything goes smoothly, and residents will be informed of the following process. 

“If your area was previously upgraded with new meters, but you missed out, please call 0860 103 089 to discuss the options,” said the City of Cape Town.

The City said that electricity costs are the same irrespective of the type of meter used. The meters do not supply electricity; they just measure usage. 

The new meters make it easier for residents to manage their electricity costs by allowing them to see their usage in real time, according to the City. 

“Importantly, they allow qualifying residents the opportunity to switch to the affordable subsidised Lifeline Tariff, which includes Free Basic Electricity units,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg.

“While the conversion is compulsory, customers on credit meters opting against taking up a prepaid meter have an option of applying for an AMI meter at their own cost to retain postpaid functions,” said Limberg.  

Areas benefiting from the meter replacement programme

The City is scheduling appointments with residents in areas that have already been visited to address outstanding meter issues.

As part of this initiative, the conversion to the new prepaid meter is completely free of charge. 

Customers must contact the contractor while they are working in the area or reach out to City teams to ensure they are included in the replacement schedule.

To confirm inclusion on the target list, the City urges citizens to submit a completed application form for the installation of a new prepaid meter to the suitable email address.

The City advised citizens to verify the official’s City-issued ID. The ID card must display the City logo, the staff member’s or mandated contractor’s name and surname, and include a photo of the individual.

Residential MRP programme roll-out

Commercial MRP programme roll-out