Government to install 250 000 smart meters in municipalities by 2027

By Thebe Mabanga

Eleven municipalities are set to receive a total of 77 780 smart meters as part of the second phase of the smart meter rollout.

The first group of eight municipalities received 67 000 smart meters at a cost of R500 million, the National Treasury announced at a special workshop for media and other stakeholders on Wednesday.

Government aims to install 250 000 meters over a three-year period ending in 2027/28, using indirect grant funding of R2 billion already approved for the programme.

Of this, R650 million has been set aside for 2025/26, R800 million for 2026/27, and R836 million for 2027/28.

The programme is intended to help municipalities improve revenue collection and manage debt owed to Eskom.

The 19 municipalities accredited so far are drawn from a pool of 71 that are part of the Eskom Debt Relief Programme.

The latest municipalities to be included are Amahlathi