Next areas for City's electricity meter replacement programme

11 August 2026

The City’s compulsory meter replacement programme is in Claremont, Kenilworth and Wynberg for residential customers over the next few months. Our teams are also in several areas across the city to assist our commercial customers. This initiative replaces old credit meters with prepaid meters and some old prepaid meters with new prepaid meters at no cost. Here’s what residential and commercial customers need to know. 

Read the FAQs on the electricity meter replacement programme.

What residents need to know:
 
When it is their turn, they’ll receive a letter or phone call to schedule an appointment. Once arranged, they may confirm the booking’s authenticity by phoning the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 or send an email to electricitycustomer.support@capetown.gov.za. The installation only takes about one hour, if all goes to plan, and residents are advised of the process that follows.
 
If your area was previously upgraded with new meters, but you missed out, please call 0860 103 089 to discuss the options.

‘The City reminds residents 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 as they can see their usage in real-time. ‘Importantly, they allow qualifying residents the opportunity to switch to the affordable subsidised Lifeline Tariff, which includes Free Basic Electricity units.

‘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. Thank you to our residents for the support as we invest in improving the City’s electricity infrastructure,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
 
Areas benefiting from the meter replacement programme from July – December 202

Residential MRP programme roll out

Commercial MRP programme roll out

The City is also making appointments with residents in areas already visited to attend to some outstanding meters. 
 
Why the new meters are beneficial:

• They give accurate readings, reducing any potential billing issues.
• They help residents monitor and manage electricity use in real-time.
• They allow eligible households to benefit from the subsidised Lifeline Tariff, which includes Free Basic Electricity.

Free of charge:
 
As part of the project, the conversion to the new prepaid meter is entirely free of charge provided customers contact the contractor while they are busy in the area, or the City teams to ensure that the customer is on the replacement schedule. To ensure that you are on our target list, please submit a completed application form requesting installation of a new prepaid meter to electricitycustomer.support@capetown.gov.za.
 
City-employed contractors are required to carry staff IDs
 
City-employed contractors are required to carry staff IDs that indicate they are City of Cape Town contractors and drive vehicles which are clearly marked. Customers can also call the City’s Call Centre on 086 010 3089 to check if it is a legitimate works notice.
 
Tips for residents:

• Always verify the work order number when an official visits your home.
• Check the official’s City-issued identification card.
• The ID card must display the City logo, the name and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor and must contain an embedded photo of the staff member or mandated contractor.
• If unsure, call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089.
• Report suspicious behaviour to the City’s law enforcement agencies or to the SAPS.

New meter facts:

• Compulsory programme, free-of-charge.
• Meter replacement enables Lifeline tariff benefits.
• New meters do not ‘use’ more electricity, they merely measure the usage.
• There is no difference in usage of electricity between the old and new meters.
• New meters are part of an investment in accurate, new infrastructure.
• Electricity meters are the property of the City and reasonable access to premises is required in terms of the law.
• All other meter-related work continues, including Small-Scale Embedded Generation meters, pre-paid meter replacement and tampering enforcements, among others.
• The Large Power Users are not on the list as they already have AMI meters installed. Small Power
• Users in the commercial sense form part of the programme if their main supply is limited to 100 Amps.

For more information, watch this video on the City’s innovative Meter Replacement Programme.
 
Visit our website for more information.

View the water replacement programme schedule.