South Africa Electricity provider, Eskom, is assisting low-income homes to apply for a monthly allocation of Free 50 kWh Basic Electricity.
National electricity supplier Eskom is encouraging indigent households to apply for Free Basic Electricity (FBE), which is provided in most municipalities to households that consume below a certain threshold of electricity per month.
FREE MUNICIPAL SERVICES FOR QUALIFYING HOUSEHOLDS
The South African government provides free basic municipal services to indigent households that can prove they cannot pay and have an income below a certain amount per month. “The services currently include water and electricity,” said Eskom.
How to qualify for the free 50kwh form Eskom
As a rule, qualifying households may receive six kilolitres of free water per household and 50 Kilowatt hours of free electricity. Eskom claims these allocations are “sufficient to cater for the basic needs of a poor household.”
“Municipalities determine their own categories of subsidies. In some municipalities, households qualify for 100% subsidies while others qualify for less than 100% depending on the criteria set,” said Eskom.
HOW ESKOM FBE WORKS
Most low-income households – in most municipalities – that consume less than 350 – 450 kWh of electricity per month qualify for Free Basic Electricity. The free electricity allocation is provided on the first day of every month. Eskom said some municipalities allocate 50 kWh while others give 100 kWh.
“FBE users who have prepaid meters will be able to see when their free electricity is finished and will then have to buy more electricity,” said Eskom.
Individuals from qualifying households that do not receive FBE yet are encouraged to head to their local municipality to register. “You can claim your FBE token by dialling *130*269# from your mobile or contact your local municipality to find out if you qualify and how to apply,” said the electricity provider, while reiterating that only households that earn less than a certain amount per month qualify for FBE.
ESKOM SAID YOU COULD POWER THE FOLLOWING WITH 50 KWH
Eskom provided an estimation on what the free allocation of electricity can be used to power in a month.
| Appliance | Watts | Number | Hours used per month | kWh |
| Energy saving light bulbs (at night) | 11 | 4 | 3.00 | 0.13 |
| Energy saving light bulbs (in the morning) | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0.04 |
| Television | 35 | 1 | 3.00 | 0.11 |
| Iron | 1000 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| Hotplate | 2000 | 1 | 0.50 | 1.00 |
| Kettle | 1200 | 1 | 0.10 | 0.12 |
| Cellphone charger | 15 | 1 | 24.00 | 0.36 |
| Fridge | 250 | 1 | 0.22 | 0.05 |