Eskom steps up smart meter rollout and Free Basic Electricity registration to tackle load shedding

Eskom is pushing to reduce load shedding and improve electricity access through the accelerated rollout of smart meters, expanded Free Basic Electricity (FBE) registration, and deployment of Distributed Energy Resources.

To date, the power utility has overseen the installation of more than  800,000 meters, with 6.2 million planned over the next three years, helping customers manage peak-period consumption, improve efficiency, and strengthen grid stability.

South Africa has had a significant reduction in load shedding days in 2025 compared to previous years, with only 26 hours of planned power cuts experienced this year.

Indigent households benefit from FBE, when smart meters are installed. This process grants Eskom the opportunity to formally register households to the electricity grid.

Speaking to Stephen Grootes on The Money Show, Matthew Cruise, energy expert at IMPOWER has praised Eskom's rollout of smart meters, and FBE plan.

"50KW per month is given for free. About 2.1 million households qualify for this, but only about a quarter of that are actually currently claiming the benefit," says Cruise.

"When they put a smart meter in, they'll be able stop this thing called electricity theft. What they mean by smart, is that it's connected to the internet on a real-time basis. So every second, you get feedback from your meter," added Cruise.

Listen to the interview in the audio player below.