Compulsory electricity meters in Cape Town: April to June areas

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Cape Town is rolling out a compulsory upgradeto smart prepaid electricity meters in several areas, including Woodstock, Salt River, Observatory and Foreshore, between April and June 2025. The City’s Energy Directorate says this free initiative will benefit residents through better billing accuracy and access to subsidised tariffs.

More brilliant metering for better control

The city has launched a compulsory programme to replace outdated credit and electricity prepaid meters with new smart versions. These meters will give residents more control over their energy consumption while ensuring accurate readings and enabling qualified households to benefit from the Lifeline Tariff, which includes Free Basic Electricity.

“Our meter replacement programme is beneficial for residents,” said Alderman Xanthea Limberg, the Mayoral Committee Member for Energy.

“The new meters help with managing costs, ensures accurate readings and assists residents to control and monitor usage.”

Importantly, the city confirmed that electricity prices remain the same, regardless of whether residents use the old or new meter.

What to expect and how to prepare

Residents will receive a call or a letter from the city when their area is due for installation. Appointments will be scheduled, and homeowners are encouraged to verify the legitimacy of any visits through the City’s Call Centre at ‪0860 103 089‬. Additionally, The City stressed that electricity meters remain municipal property and that officials must be granted access by the law.

“We encourage all residents to work with us as we continue to roll out these meters across the metro,” Limberg added.

Protecting households from scams

To ensure safety, residents should always check for official City-issued identification cards and verify the work order number before allowing anyone into their homes. The ID must include the city logo, a photo, and the full name of the staff member or contractor. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the SAPS or the City’s law enforcement.