Eskom urges customers to recode prepaid meters

Eskom has urged prepaid electricity customers to recode their meters before the 24 November 2024 deadline to avoid disruptions. After this date, meters still using KRN1 (Key Revision Number 1) will no longer accept electricity tokens, leaving customers without power once their credit is depleted. Replacing an inoperable meter could cost up to R12 000.

Customers who have not purchased electricity in over six months or used unauthorised tokens are at risk. To recode, they must buy electricity from an authorised vendor, which will generate two 20-digit codes needed for the process. Monde Bala, Eskom’s group executive for Distribution, says the group has provided community support teams and multilingual public awareness campaigns to simplify the procedure.

“Customers with meters still on KRN1 have likely not purchased electricity for more than six months or might be using unauthorised tokens bought from criminal syndicates. To prevent the meter from becoming inoperable, losing power, and incurring replacement costs, it is critical that all customers, including those who have not purchased electricity in the last six months or more, buy electricity tokens from authorised vendors by 24 November 2024,” said Bala.

How to check and recode your meter

The power utility emphasised that failure to act by the deadline will result in meters becoming unusable, with the customer bearing the replacement costs. – bbc.com