The software for all prepaid electricity meters in South Africa will expire in 2024. Prepaid metering software must be updated or customers won\u2019t be able to recharge their meters with new tokens; and will be left without power supply. The City is following a phased approach. Area by area is being earmarked for updating. Customers in a specific area will receive two update codes with their purchase when their time comes. If the City has not reached an area, and customers have not received the update codes with their electricity purchase, they are not yet due for the update. Please give us some time to reach your area and wait until you see the codes with your purchase. Eligible customers will notice they are due for the update when they make a purchase and see the update codes. City teams will be on standby in these areas in January and February 2023 to assist customers if required.<\/p>\n
Customers in the following areas are able to update their electricity meters from 1 January to 28 February 2023:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Rondebosch
\n\u2022 Newlands
\n\u2022 Camps Bay
\n\u2022 Cape Town
\n\u2022 Green Point
\n\u2022 Sea Point
\n\u2022 Signal Hill\/Table Mountain
\n\u2022 Observatory
\n\u2022 Paarden Eiland
\n\u2022 Hanover Park<\/p>\n
The City is making steady progress with its prepaid electricity meter software upgrade programme. More than 38 areas in the metro have already been reached and approximately 300 000 prepaid meters have been updated. Residents are encouraged to update their meters themselves by following the three easy steps. <\/p>\n
We urge residents to assist their family members with their updates where possible, especially elderly family members and those with disabilities. Alternatively, residents are encouraged to call the City\u2019s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 for assistance.<\/p>\n
Do it yourself
\nWhen making a purchase, customers will receive two 20-digit update codes along with their usual prepaid token. Customers who do not live in the area that is currently earmarked for updating will not be eligible to update their meters yet and will not automatically receive update codes with their normal purchase until their time comes. Update codes will be issued with purchases in areas across the metro in phases in accordance with the area schedule (see below). <\/p>\n
Customers may follow these easy steps to enter the update codes when their area is scheduled for the update:<\/p>\n
1. Enter the first 20-digit update code and wait for it to accept.
\n2. Enter the second 20-digit update code and wait for it to accept.
\n3. Enter the usual 20-digit token to recharge units as normal.<\/p>\n
Most customers prefer updating their own meters. Those who require assistance are encouraged to contact the City by:
\n\u2022 SMS: 31220
\n\u2022 Email: power@capetown.gov.za
\n\u2022 Phone: Call Centre: 0860 103 089<\/p>\n
City teams are on standby to assist if required
\nCity teams are standing by to assist households with the updates. Teams carry identification and work order numbers. Phone the City\u2019s call centre for verification.<\/p>\n
Frequently asked questions \u2013 Prepaid electricity meter software update (token identification update \u2013 TID)<\/p>\n
1. Why must prepaid electricity meters be updated?
\nThe current pre-paid electricity metering software will expire in 2024 for all prepaid electricity meters in South Africa. <\/p>\n
Pre-paid meters must be updated or you won\u2019t be able to recharge your meter with new tokens and won\u2019t have power supply. Updates to the software of prepaid electricity meters will happen in a phased approach across the metro to ensure all meters are updated ahead of the deadline. Only when an area is reached for updating, as per the schedule, will customers get the update codes with their normal purchase. Customers in an area that has not been reached yet as per the schedule, will not be eligible to update their meter yet. <\/p>\n
2. Which meters must be updated?
\nAll prepaid electricity meters in South Africa. The City has 570 000 pre-paid meters. <\/p>\n
3. By when must meters be updated?
\nBy December 2024 and it will be done in phases. <\/p>\n
4. Will all customers be able to update their meters immediately?
\nNo.
\nCity prepaid meters are being updated in accordance with an area schedule. Only when an area is being updated as per the schedule, will update codes be issued when making a purchase. Update codes will not be issued to areas not earmarked for the updating in a certain month and customers in areas that have not yet been reached for updating will not yet be eligible to update their meters. <\/p>\n
5. How should meters be updated?
\nMost customers prefer updating their own meters. They are able to easily update their own meters when making an electricity purchase.
\nWhen a customer from the listed areas makes a purchase from 1 January 2023 in (and then subsequent areas on the schedule), two 20-digit update codes will be included, along with the usual electricity token as soon as the programme is in your area and you are eligible for the update. <\/p>\n
Follow these easy steps to enter your update codes WHEN your area is scheduled for the update:
\n\u2022 Enter the first 20 digits update code and wait for it to accept.
\n\u2022 Enter the second 20 digits update code and wait for it to accept.
\n\u2022 Enter your 20 digits token to recharge your units as normal.<\/p>\n
6. Will the update codes work on all types of pre-paid electricity meters?
\nYes, as soon as the codes are received, but only when an earmarked area for updating has been reached in accordance with the schedule. <\/p>\n
7. For how long are the update codes valid?
\nThe two 20-digit update codes must be entered into the meter immediately after it has been supplied as no other recharge token will be accepted by the meter. <\/p>\n
8. What happens if I throw away my slip, will I be able to get the two 20-digit codes again?
\nThe customer would have to phone the City to get the code, currently there is no way to get a copy at a vendor.
\nTake a picture of the slip; or make a note of the two 20-digit update codes. <\/p>\n
9. What if I can\u2019t update my own meter?
\nCity teams are visiting areas across the metro according to a schedule over the next two years. They started in Atlantis, Mamre and Pella and will move to the areas on the schedule over time. <\/p>\n
10. How do I verify whether a person coming to my home to assist me with an update is from the City?
\nTeams will carry identification and work order numbers. Customers may phone the City\u2019s Call Centre for verification. <\/p>\n
11. If my area is not on the schedule, will areas be visited again?
\nWe plan to go area by area and then at a later date revisit any meters that are not complete regardless of the area. This mop up operation is currently planned for late 2023 and early 2024.<\/p>\n
12. I am in line for the City\u2019s ongoing meter replacement programme (to replace old infrastructure), will the new meter be software compliant once installed? Would I need to update the code?
\nNew meters installed will eventually all be updated but we are working through older stock at the moment and the older stock even though newly installed would need to be updated; the new compliant-ready meters are in the City stock stores now. Some of the field staff are already updating the meters if they are on site doing a meter change or site inspection.<\/p>\n
13. Will my old unused tokens still work after the upgrade?
\nNo, all old tokens must be entered prior to the update being completed.<\/p>\n
14. Where do I find the work schedule for when update tokens will be issued per area?
\nThe schedule is available on the City\u2019s website here.<\/p>\n
15. What should I do when my area has been earmarked for updating but I have not received my update codes yet?
\nThe prepaid electricity meter software update takes place in a phased manner within the various earmarked areas. Please give the City some time to reach your specific area.<\/p>\n
It is important to note that the system does not automatically issue residents their update token on the first of the month, but can do so any time during that month with a purchase.<\/p>\n
If you only purchase electricity once a month and did not receive your update token, then the update token will be made available to you with your next purchase in the following month. <\/p>\n
16. Will my electricity meter use more electricity after the software update?
\nUpdates to the software of City prepaid electricity meters will not affect the user\u2019s electricity usage in any way as it does not affect the meter\u2019s calibration. If a resident suspects that their meter may be faulty, they are encouraged to contact us.<\/p>\n
17. Will my electricity units disappear or decrease when the meter is updated?
\nNo, a customer\u2019s electricity units will not be affected by the update. However, should customers have any technical issues; they are encouraged to contact the City\u2019s Call Centre.<\/p>\n
TOKEN IDENTIFIER ROLL-OUT PLAN: KEY CHANGE TOKEN PROJECT SCHEDULE<\/p>\n
AREA\tPERIOD IN WHICH KEY CHANGE TOKENS WILL BE ISSUED
\nRondebosch\tJanuary \u2013 February 2023
\nNewlands
\nHanover Park
\nCamps Bay
\nCape Town
\nGreen Point
\nSea Point
\nSignal Hill\/ Table Mountain
\nObservatory
\nPaarden Eiland
\nAthlone\tMarch \u2013 April 2023
\nManenberg
\nBergvliet\tMay 2023
\nConstantia
\nDiep River
\nHout Bay
\nPlumstead
\nWynberg
\nCape Point\tJune 2023
\nFish Hoek
\nKalk Bay
\nKommetjie
\nMuizenberg
\nNoordhoek
\nOcean View
\nSimon’s Town
\nTokai
\nKhayelitsha
\nMacassar
\nMitchells Plain\tJuly \u2013 August 2023
\nGrassy Park\tSeptember \u2013 October 2023
\nOttery
\nPelican Park
\nPhilippi
\nGordons Bay\tNovember 2023 \u2013 December 2023
\nHelderberg
\nSir Lowry’s Pass
\nSomerset West
\nStrand
\nAgain: it must be noted that only when a specific area is reached as per this schedule, will update codes be issued with the normal electricity token when a purchase is made.<\/p>\n
Source: City Of Cape Town<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"