City Power, Johannesburg’s utility provider, has introduced an important new initiative aimed at providing relief to the city’s most vulnerable residents. The Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme is a bold step forward, with the goal of registering 130,000 indigent households across Johannesburg, offering them 50 kWh of free electricity every month. The registration period will run from June 17 to July 31, 2025.
The Free Basic Electricity initiative is part of City Power’s broader strategy to bring non-vending customers back into formal payment systems. The utility also sees this programme as a key way to address affordability concerns among the city’s most vulnerable residents while tackling the issue of illegal electricity connections, meter tampering, and significant revenue loss.
What is the Free Basic Electricity Programme?
The Free Basic Electricity programme provides qualifying residents with 50 kWh of electricity each month at no cost. This allocation is meant to cover essential household needs, such as lighting, cooking, and heating. The programme will ensure that vulnerable households do not have to worry about the financial burden of electricity costs for their basic needs.
Isaac Mangena, City Power’s General Manager for Public Relations and Communication, explained that this initiative is part of a more comprehensive strategy to bring informal users into the formal electricity grid, helping reduce revenue losses caused by illegal connections and tampered meters.
Moreover, the Free Basic Electricity programme also benefits registered households by exempting them from the R200 monthly surcharge, in addition to qualifying for other City of Johannesburg rebates for services like property rates, water, and refuse removal.
Why is City Power Launching This Programme?
City Power faces significant challenges in terms of revenue collection, primarily due to illegal connections, meter tampering, and non-payment. Many residents use electricity without paying, leading to substantial financial losses for the utility and causing significant infrastructure damage. City Power estimates that over 140,000 residents consume electricity without paying for it.
Tshifularo Mashava, City Power’s CEO, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “Access to electricity is not a luxury, but a key feature required to support social and economic upliftment.” This programme is not only aimed at providing basic services but also at restoring dignity to residents by ensuring equal access to essential services like electricity.
In addition to benefiting vulnerable households, the Free Basic Electricity programme also acts as a mechanism to ensure compliance, bringing more customers into the formal electricity system, and reducing the strain on infrastructure caused by illegal connections.
Learn more: Johannesburg Faces Power Strain: City Power Urges Residents to Slash Electricity Use
Who Qualifies for Free Basic Electricity?
To qualify for the Free Basic Electricity programme, households must meet specific eligibility requirements. The initiative is aimed at low-income, unemployed, and vulnerable residents who are legally residing in Johannesburg. Below are the detailed criteria for eligibility.
Eligibility Requirements:
Income Limit: Applicants must be unemployed or earn a monthly income of no more than R7,503.01. All sources of household income must be declared during the registration process.
Citizenship and Residency: Only South African citizens and permanent residents are eligible for the Free Basic Electricity programme. The applicant must be a legal occupant of the property.
Supporting Documents: To complete the registration, applicants must provide the following documents:
A valid identification document
Proof of residence
A City of Johannesburg rates and taxes account statement
Proof of income (e.g., SASSA card or sworn affidavit)
Targeted Beneficiaries:
The Free Basic Electricity programme is specifically targeting:
Senior citizens
Unemployed individuals
Women
Children, including child-headed households
Persons with disabilities
Furthermore, City Power has introduced an amnesty programme to offer free replacement for damaged, bypassed, or tampered meters. This measure helps to address the issue of illegal connections without imposing penalties on registered households.
How to Apply for Free Basic Electricity
City Power has devised an extensive outreach campaign to ensure that as many eligible residents as possible have access to the Free Basic Electricity programme. Registration will be available at various community-based pop-up stations, shopping malls, taxi ranks, churches, and SASSA payment points throughout the campaign period.
Additionally, City Power will also be conducting door-to-door campaigns and holding community meetings (imbizos) to reach households that may not have access to traditional registration points.
Mangena confirmed that City Power will offer multilingual support to accommodate Johannesburg’s diverse population and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to register.
What Happens After Registration?
Once a household has successfully registered, it will begin receiving 50 kWh of free electricity every month. Registered households will also be exempt from the R200 monthly surcharge and qualify for additional rebates for municipal services such as water, refuse removal, and property rates.
This initiative will provide vulnerable residents with much-needed relief, making it easier for them to manage essential household services. However, it is important to note that the Free Basic Electricity programme is a temporary measure. The long-term objective is to encourage compliance with the city’s electricity system by ensuring that all users contribute to the cost of electricity.
The Financial Sustainability of the Initiative
The Free Basic Electricity programme is not just a social intervention but also a strategy to address the financial sustainability of City Power. The programme responds to concerns raised by the Auditor-General, who highlighted the utility’s low revenue collection rate. By bringing more residents into the formal electricity system, City Power hopes to improve its financial standing while also reducing infrastructure damage caused by illegal activities.
Mashava emphasized the programme’s importance in achieving equity, accountability, and financial sustainability. “With your cooperation, we can ensure no household is unfairly disconnected and no customer abuses the system to the detriment of others,” she stated.
Learn more: City Power Contact Details: How to Reach Customer Support
City Power’s Free Basic Electricity programme is a significant development for Johannesburg residents who face challenges in meeting their basic electricity needs. By offering 50 kWh of free electricity every month, City Power aims to reduce the financial burden on vulnerable households and bring non-vending customers back into the formal system.
For those who qualify, this initiative provides much-needed relief and ensures that households can continue to meet their essential needs without fear of disconnection.
Residents who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to register during the campaign period to take full advantage of this valuable opportunity.
