Prepaid power explained

Why the same R500 can buy fewer units later in the month

Prepaid electricity uses monthly blocks. You buy the cheapest block first, then the next block, and so on. Once your month-to-date units move into a higher block, every extra unit costs more.

Month starts at zero

The meter tracks your month-to-date units. Early purchases normally land in the cheapest block.

Your first R500

129.1 kWh

At Tshwane / Pretoria rates, the first R500 starts from block 1.

Another R500 later

114.7 kWh

The second R500 continues after the units already bought, so higher blocks may apply.

The sliding-scale effect

14.4 kWh

Difference between the first and second R500 purchase. If this is zero, that area has a flat rate or both purchases are still in the same block.

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Tshwane / Pretoria rates

Domestic prepaid and postpaid · 1 July 2026 - 30 June 2027 · rates shown inclusive of VAT.

First 100 kWh R 3.73 / kWh

101 - 450 kWh R 4.36 / kWh

451 - 650 kWh R 4.75 / kWh

Above 650 kWh R 5.12 / kWh

Fixed monthly charge R 0.00

No fixed monthly charge on the domestic tariff shown here.

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What to remember

Small buys do not restart your monthly blocks.

Blocks reset monthly, not every time you buy.
Buying smaller amounts does not avoid higher blocks if your total monthly units pass the threshold.
Fixed charges, where applicable, are separate monthly charges and may affect what you pay in total.
Use “How much have you bought?” to simulate a second or third purchase in the same month.

Electricity Units & Amount Calculator

Selected area: Tshwane / Pretoria