Eskom intensifies efforts to distribute free basic electricity to indigent households
In order to help alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 national lockdown on indigent households, Eskom has launched its communication campaign aimed at raising awareness of the longstanding Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme, which is targeted at giving limited free electricity to indigent households.
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Qualifying households, in terms of the governmentâs policy of providing support to the unemployed, low-earning, the destitute and the elderly, are encouraged to approach their municipalities to register as indigents in order to collect their allocated free basic electricity every month.
 âCustomers on municipalitiesâ indigent household registers have the right to collect a minimum 50 kiloWatt hours (kWh) of electricity for free every month, which can also be higher, depending on the municipality,â Monde Bala (Group Executive: Distribution) said.
âUnfortunately a large number of indigent households donât exercise their right, either because they are unaware of the free basic electricity, or because they have not registered with the municipality.â
Once registered with the municipality, the customerâs details are loaded on the Eskom system where they get credited with free electricity tokens.
As at the end of March, Eskom had 900 000 registered indigent customers for free basic electricity but only 700 000 people are collecting their FBE tokens. Eskom is working with municipalities to ensure that indigent households receive the free electricity allocated by the government.
âThe partnership with municipalities will go a long way to helping cushion the indigent households from the full impact of Covid-19 lockdown,â said Bala.
Customers who qualify for FBE but who are not currently collecting it must approach their
municipality and register to receive their free allocation.