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Efforts Underway to Update Prepaid Electricity Meters in Cape Town

The City of Cape Town is making significant progress in its prepaid electricity meter upgrade program. The initiative aims to update all prepaid metering software in South Africa before the current software expires in 2024. Failure to update the meters would result in customers being unable to recharge their meters with new tokens and, consequently, losing power supply.

Schedule

The update initiative is currently covering Grassy Park, Ottery, Pelican Park, and Philippi areas from September 1 to October 31, 2023. The remaining 10 areas will be serviced in the coming months.

Progress

To date, 64 areas in the metro have been covered, and around 502,000 (70%) of prepaid meters have been updated as planned.

Updating Process

Residents are encouraged to update their meters themselves by following three easy steps. However, the elderly and those with disabilities can seek assistance from family members or contact the City’s Call Centre at 0860 103 089 for help.

Upon purchasing electricity, customers will receive two 20-digit update codes along with their usual prepaid token. Update codes will be provided according to the area schedule. Customers not yet eligible for an update will receive the codes only when their area is due to be serviced.

To update their prepaid meters, customers must:
1. Enter the first 20-digit update code and wait for acceptance.
2. Enter the second 20-digit update code and wait for acceptance.
3. Enter the usual 20-digit token to recharge units as normal.

City teams are on standby to offer assistance if required, and they carry identification and work order numbers for verification purposes. Residents can also call the City’s call center to verify the teams’ credentials.

Changes After Update

After the update, old, unused tokens will not work, and residents must enter them before completing the update. The work schedule for update tokens issuance per area can be found on the City’s website.

Future Plans

The City plans to revisit areas not included in the schedule and mop up operations for incomplete meters in late 2023 and early 2024. New meters installed will eventually be updated, and older stock, even if newly installed, will need to be updated as well.

The prepaid electricity meter software update will not affect a user’s electricity usage or the calibration of their meter. If a resident suspects their meter may be faulty, they are encouraged to contact the City’s Call Centre. It is essential to update the prepaid electricity meter software as it is set to expire in 2024 for all meters in South Africa.