Buying Electricity Online in Stellenbosch Municipality
- Powertime
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
Buying Electricity Online in Stellenbosch Municipality
The municipality structures its tariffs to accommodate different household usage levels, while also ensuring the sustainability of the electricity network.
Residents are generally billed according to residential prepaid tariff categories based on consumption:
• Inclined Block Tariff (IBT)
This structure is designed for residential users, where the cost per kWh increases as
consumption increases. Lower usage is charged at a lower rate, while higher consumption
falls into more expensive blocks.
• Indigent Support / Free Basic Electricity (FBE)
Qualifying registered indigent households may receive a set amount of free electricity per
month (commonly 50 kWh), in line with national policy.
• Residential Tariffs with Basic Charges
Standard residential prepaid customers may be subject to a fixed basic service charge to
help cover infrastructure and service-related costs.
These fixed charges enable the municipality to recover the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the electricity network, including infrastructure repairs, meter management, billing systems, and administrative services.
What Is a Monthly vs Daily Tariff?
Understanding how monthly and daily tariff structures work can help you better manage your electricity purchases and avoid confusion when buying prepaid tokens.
Monthly Tariff
A monthly tariff (also referred to as a fixed service charge) is a set fee charged once per month. This fee is payable regardless of whether you purchase prepaid electricity during that month.
Why is this charged?
The municipality incurs ongoing fixed costs to provide electricity services — including maintaining substations, repairing faults, upgrading infrastructure, and managing customer accounts. The monthly service charge ensures these essential services remain operational for all connected households.
Daily Tariff
With prepaid electricity, the monthly service charge is often calculated as a daily amount. Instead of paying the full fee upfront, the system spreads the charge across daily portions.
For example, if the monthly service fee is R90, this may be divided into approximately R3 per day.
When you purchase prepaid electricity, part of your payment first goes toward covering any outstanding daily service charges for that month. Once the service charge portion has been settled, the remaining amount is allocated toward purchasing electricity units (kWh).
This explains why the number of units received may vary depending on when in the month you make your purchase.
How to Buy Prepaid Electricity for Stellenbosch Municipality
Customers supplied directly by Stellenbosch Municipality can conveniently purchase prepaid electricity online through the Powertime platform using the following approved channels:
• Online via the Powertime website• Through the Powertime mobile application (available on Android and iOS)• By using your Powertime Wallet• Via the SMS vending channel
Payment Methods Available on Powertime
• Debit and Credit Cards• Instant EFT• Powertime Wallet (EFT)
After completing your purchase, you will receive a prepaid electricity token, which can be entered into your meter to load the purchased units.
For detailed information on Stellenbosch Municipality’s latest approved electricity tariffs and service charges, residents can visit the municipality’s official website:
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