Citywide Update of Prepaid Electricity Meters in Cape Town

The City of Cape Town is currently in the process of updating prepaid electricity meters across the metro. This is being done in phases to ensure that all meters are updated before the current software expires in 2024. Failing to update the meters on time may result in customers being unable to recharge and left without power supply.

Progress of Meter Updates

As of now, 53 regions in the metro have been reached, and approximately 370,000 prepaid meters have been updated according to plan. This accounts for 52% of the total number of prepaid meters that need to be updated, which is 570,000. The remaining 21 areas will be targeted in the coming months.

Schedule for Updating Meters

From June 1 to June 30, 2023, residents of Cape Point, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, Kommetjie, Muizenberg, Noordhoek, Ocean View, Simon’s Town, Tokai, Khayelitsha, and Macassar can update their electricity meters. The City encourages them to undertake the update themselves, following three simple steps.

Updating Meters Process

Customers will receive two 20-digit update codes along with their usual prepaid token when their area is scheduled for the update. The first and second 20-digit update codes must be entered, followed by the regular 20-digit token to recharge units as usual. Residents are urged to assist their family members, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities, with the update process. City teams are on standby to offer help if required, and the call center can be reached for assistance.

Importance of Meter Update

The citywide update of prepaid electricity meters is crucial since the current software will expire in 2024 for all such meters in South Africa. To avoid issues with power supply, the update must be successfully completed by December 2024. The software update will not affect the meter’s calibration, but old tokens must be entered before the update is finished since they will not work after the upgrade.

Handling Concerns

Customers are advised to be patient since the prepaid electricity meter software update is being carried out in phases across the metro. Update codes will only be issued with a purchase in areas following the area schedule, and the update tokens will be made available to customers with their next purchase in the following month if they have not received them during the scheduled month. If customers have any concerns about their updated meter, they should contact the City’s call center.