The price of prepaid electricity is divided into different tariff blocks.

The more electricity that is purchased during a calendar month, the higher the tariff charged for additional units.

HOW IT WORKS?

The first 350 units purchased during the month are charged at R2,8819 per unit.

Once more than 350 units have been purchased, the next 250 units (351–600) are charged at R3,2232 per unit.

Any units purchased above 600 units during the same month are charged at R3,4830 per unit.

DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF I BUY ELECTRICITY MORE THAN ONCE A MONTH?

Prepaid electricity customers are charged according to an inclining block tariff system. This means that the first units purchased during a calendar month are charged at the lowest rate. As more electricity is purchased during the month, additional units are charged in higher tariff blocks.

The tariff block is determined by the total number of units purchased during the month, regardless of how many separate purchases are made. Buying electricity in several smaller transactions does not reduce the cost. At the start of each new calendar month, the block allocation resets and customers once again begin in the lowest tariff block.

EXAMPLE:

If a customer purchases 500 units in a month:

• The first 350 units will be charged at R2,8819 per unit.
• The remaining 150 units will be charged at R3,2232 per unit.

The customer does not pay the higher tariff on all 500 units – only on the units that fall within the higher tariff block.

Electricity tariffs for 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027. All rates include VAT:

• 0-350 units: R2.8819 per unit
  Example: 350 units = R1 008.67
• 351-600 units: R3.2232 per unit
  Example: 250 units = R805.80
• 601 units and above: R3.4830 per unit

Please note that prepaid and conventional credit electricity tariffs differ. Customers using prepaid electricity currently pay a lower rate per unit than customers using conventional credit meters.