Energy
Cape Town faces energy challenges including constrained energy supply, a growing population, energy poverty and the impacts of climate change. This is why we are shifting towards a more resilient, resource efficient and sustainable energy future for all Capetonians.
General The City generates and distributes electricity in the Cape Town municipal area. Find out more about electricity in Cape Town, as well as how you can make changes in your home to switch to a more sustainable energy future.
Energy strategy Our energy strategy, titled ‘Our Shared Energy Future: The 2050 Energy Strategy for the City of Cape Town ’, aims to achieve energy security for a prosperous Cape Town by ending load-shedding over time and navigating the changing energy system to the benefit of all. By coming together, we hope to build a resilient energy system where all residents and businesses have access to reliable, affordable, and carbon-neutral energy services.
This will be achieved through the implementation of three commitments and two enablers: Commitment 1: Harness new energy supply Commitment 2: Alleviate energy poverty Commitment 3: Optimise energy use Enabler A: Operate a future-fit utility business Enabler B: Action by residents, businesses and partners
Did you know? Every week, we complete routine maintenance on our electrical infrastructure in various areas around Cape Town. This is to ensure reliable supply and good management of the infrastructure. Log onto
X (formerly Twitter) or
Facebook to find out which area will be affected on a specific day.
Download the City's mobile app for iOS or Android: Apple Store |
Google Play
Apply You can apply for a number of electricity and renewable energy services. Whether you are interested in applying for an electricity connection, small scale embedded generation, a standby generator, a prepaid electricity meter and more, we can assist.
did you know? You can now
apply for a new or modified electricity supply online via the new Energy Services Applications platform on e-Services. This new platform will make applying quick and easy, and automate the issuing of quotes for certain applications.
We have listed some of the application processes below, to make it easier for you to find the information you need.
cash for power programme If you have an approved grid-tied feed-in SSEG system and your municipal account is regularly fully offset by the SSEG Feed-in tariff, you can apply to join the
Cash for Power programme .
My Clean green home exhibition Cape Town’s first net zero carbon home demonstrates sustainable living in action. It incorporates solar power generation, energy efficient appliances, passive cooling, rainwater harvesting and an edible food garden.
Take a tour of the exhibition .
Rooftop solar photovoltaic systems If your home or business generates renewable energy onsite, you can benefit from lower electricity costs and contribute to a more secure and sustainable future for Cape Town.
We encourage you to install private Small Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems, particularly rooftop solar PV system, if you are able to do so. Find out more on
choosing a solar PV system .
SAFER, FASTer SOLAR PV APPROVAL
You can now
apply for authorisation of your solar PV and/or battery system via the new online Energy Services Applications platform on e-Services. The new applications platform will improve the process of obtaining authorisation for SSEG installations by significantly reducing turnaround times, providing greater transparency and automating the issuing of Permission to Install (PTI) letters for certain application types.
If you are considering installing a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system, but you are not sure how to do it safely and legally,
follow our guidelines for safe and legal installations .
They will help you:
make informed decisions about what type of PV system to install; evaluate your prospective service providers; and understand all the key requirements before, during and after installation.
Remember: You need to
apply for authorisation to install an embedded generation system , such as a rooftop solar PV.
Since 1 October 2023, all new solar PV and/or battery systems are being treated as grid-tied and must use
City-approved inverters , have professional sign-off and be authorised before switching on.
We will no longer be accepting applications for standby and off-grid systems . Systems that have already been authorised will remain valid, and pre-October 2023 applications for standby/off-grid systems will still be processed, but priority will be given to grid-tied systems using City-approved inverters.
Read through our
SSEG Frequently Asked Questions to find answers to all your solar PV questions.
SOLAR PV INSTALLER NEWSFLASH If you are a Solar PV Installer, and would like to receive more information on Small-scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) from the City, you can
subscribe to our Solar PV Installer Newsflash to stay up-to-date with the latest information.
Commercial
You may want more information on:
Independent power producer faqs
Related information Find out more about climate change, renewable energy and making better energy choices.
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