How to apply

Residents and businesses follow the same process when applying for an electricity connection. In your application, you will need to indicate which category of connection you are applying for.

All applications for a new or modified electricity connection are now done online via the new Energy Services Applications platform on e-Services. This will make applying quick and easy, and will automate the issuing of quotations for certain application types. You will also be able to track the progress of your application.

You can apply for the following energy services on the new platform:

• New supply
• Additional electricity meter
• Replacement of an existing credit meter with a prepaid meter
• Replacement of a damaged prepaid meter

View the full list of services you can apply for in our How-to Guide.

Step 1: To apply, you will need to be registered on e-Services, and activate Energy Services. Read the How-to Guide or watch the video below for detailed instructions.

Step 2: Once you have activated Energy Services, you can submit your application for a new or modified electricity supply. You will need the following information on hand:

• Electrical contractor’s details
• Technical requirements for the service connection you are applying for

Step 3: If you are requesting a standard residential electricity connection, you will have to pay for the cost of connecting your property to the shared network. You may also have to contribute to the cost of the shared network based on how much electricity you require.

Non-standard electricity connections are quotable, but only after you have paid for the required capacity of electricity your property is going to use.

Step 4: Once you have submitted your application, we are mandated to get back to you with a quote within ten working days if there is existing infrastructure, and within a month if the network must be extended. If a new network needs to be installed, or the work is for industrial or commercial industries, all parties will agree on a time frame within which the City must provide a quote.

Step 5: Once payment is made, you will need to notify the relevant District Office when the site is ready for installation. This contact information can be found on your quotation letter.

Step 6: If a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is required, the electrical contractor registered to the application must provide the CoC to the relevant District Office (indicated on the quotation letter). Once confirmed, commissioning can then proceed.

Payment

We accept the following methods of payment:

• Cash, debit and/or credit card: We will cover the bank cost on a cash, debit and/or credit card payment on an amount above R7000 per transaction. We absorb such costs in respect of single payments of R7000 and below.
• Electronic payments (EFT): Select the City of Cape Town as a bank listed beneficiary on your bank's website. Use your 9-digit reference number in the beneficiary account number/ payment reference field.
• EasyPay: Your invoice includes a QR code which is embedded with your EasyPay number and your outstanding balance. Scan the QR code with your smartphone and follow these easy steps.
• Pay at your nearest participating shops: Take your invoice to one of the following shops: Shoprite, Checkers, USave, Pick n Pay, PEP, Ackermans, Lewis, Top It Up, Woolworths and selected Spar stores.
• City walk-in centres: Take your invoice to one of the City’s office/walk-in centres

Important information:

Provision of commissioning dates will be affected if wayleaves are required. Design finalisation, wayleave applications and long lead items shall be reserved upon payment. Project implementation planning shall commence once all wayleaves are received.

Construction, where applicable by applicant/developer of a transformer substation room, typically takes three to six months and six to nine months for a protected substation switch room. The substation room is required to be completed to the City's approval and handed over at least three to four months prior to commissioning date. Unimpeded permanent access to the substation, as well as clearance of all obstructions from the sidewalk is required for installation of cables. Commissioning dates are to be negotiated.

The quotation is valid for three months from the date on the letter. In the event that payment is not made within this validity period or the development is not ready for the installation of services within six months of the date of payment, the quotation will lapse and a new application will have to be submitted. Should the site be ready within the period of six months after payment, but the City is unable to install the service, the period of six months will be extended until such time that the City is able to complete the service.

Contact us

City Call Center

Telephone:
0860 103 089

Email:
accounts@capetown.gov.za
electricitycustomer.support@capetown.gov.za

For more information, you can also visit the Electricity Generation & Distribution Department home page.

Document downloads

• 1. Customer Connection Information Guidelines

     09/07/2018, Guideline - 263.7 KB

  2. Electricity Miscellaneous Tariffs

     01/07/2026, Budget annexure,Tariff - 1.8 MB

  3. Energy Services Applications: New or Modified Electricity Supply How-to-guide

     04/03/2025, How-to guide - 5.1 MB