With the 24 November 2024 deadline fast approaching, Eskom has issued an urgent call to all prepaid electricity customers to recode their prepaid meters to prevent an unexpected loss of power.
Meters still operating on the outdated Key Revision Number 1 (KRN1) system will no longer accept electricity tokens after this date, leading to potential disruptions and costly replacements.
Eskom warns that failure to act by the deadline will render meters inoperable once current electricity credits are depleted. A replacement meter could cost as much as R12,000, with customers bearing the cost.
“Customers with KRN1 meters, especially those who haven’t purchased electricity in over six months or may have been using unauthorised tokens, need to update their meters immediately,” said Monde Bala, Eskom’s Group Executive for Distribution. “The process is simple and ensures uninterrupted power supply.”
Steps to Recode Your Meter
Eskom has outlined a clear process for checking and updating prepaid meters:
- Check Your Meter: Enter 1844 6744 0738 4377 2416 on your keypad. If the display shows “1” or “1.2,” your meter needs recoding. If it shows “2” or “2.2,” your meter is already updated.
- Recode Your Meter: Obtain two sets of 20-digit recode tokens by purchasing electricity from authorised vendors.
- Enter Tokens: First, input the two 20-digit recode tokens. Then, recharge your meter with a 20-digit token from your latest electricity purchase.
Eskom has deployed community support teams to assist customers, including over weekends, and has launched an extensive public awareness campaign in all official languages.
Tools such as the Alfred Chatbot are available on Eskom’s website and social media platforms to guide customers through the process.
Eskom acknowledges the cooperation of customers who have already completed the process and urges others to act swiftly.
Failure to recode by 24 November 2024 will prevent the purchase of electricity tokens and could leave households without power until the meter is replaced.
For updates on the re-coding progress and more information, visit the Eskom website.