Why City Power's Solar Billing Changes are Sparking Outrage

Outrage is brewing across Johannesburg after City Power announced plans to convert all non-vending prepaid residential customers to postpaid billing, a move that has particularly alarmed residents with solar power.

This follows City Power’s confirmation that customers with solar photovoltaic (PV) installations currently using prepaid meters will also be migrated to postpaid billing. The utility said the decision is aimed at ensuring accurate accounting of electricity imports and exports, improving network management, and aligning solar users with the appropriate billing framework.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned the decision, warning that it unfairly targets compliant solar users and risks pushing them onto significantly more expensive accounts.

“City Power also informs customers with solar photovoltaic (PV) installations currently on prepaid meters that they will also be converted to postpaid billing accounts. This measure will ensure accurate accounting of electricity imports and exports, improve network management, and align solar PV customers with the appropriate billing framework.

"Once converted to postpaid, customers’ electricity consumption will be billed monthly and reflected on their CoJ municipal statements, in line with standard postpaid billing terms. This includes applicable service and network capacity charges. Where applicable, reconciled consumption may be backcharged in accordance with the city’s bylaws,” said Mangena.

City Power has also extended the deadline for the conversion process from December 2025 to June 30, 2026, giving affected households more time to regularise their electricity supply, cooperate with ongoing meter audits, and resolve outstanding billing and vending issues.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the utility has been working to improve its billing systems since assuming the function, with the goal of enhancing customer experience and closing long-standing revenue gaps caused by inefficiencies.

He added that the conversion process and system upgrade underway are expected to reduce billing errors and address numerous customer complaints.

Mangena also said City Power will continue conducting stand-by-stand meter audits to identify non-vending prepaid meters, illegal connections, and other non-compliance, urging residents to cooperate with authorised technicians to avoid disconnections, penalties, or additional charges.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned the move, warning that the announcement has triggered widespread panic among prepaid users, particularly those who invested in solar power.

DA Johannesburg shadow MMC for Infrastructure Services Tyrell Meyers said targeting prepaid solar users amounts to a “power grab” by City Power against residents who turned to solar due to the ANC/EFF/PA coalition’s failure to provide reliable electricity.

While the DA supports efforts to curb revenue losses and illegal connections, Meyers said there is no justification for penalising compliant solar users.

“Instead, the city should be partnering with private solar producers to stabilise the grid and reduce reliance on Eskom. Johannesburg’s electricity crisis will not be solved under a failing ANC/EFF/PA coalition. Only a DA-led government can deliver credible, sustainable energy solutions,” he said.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za