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Free tools · From NERSA’s 2026/27 decision · Western Cape

How many units for R100 in Swellendam?

R100 buys 40.5 kWh of prepaid electricity in Swellendam at the start of the month, VAT included, on Swellendam’s prepaid tariff for homes, 5. Domestic prepaid, single phase 60 A. It also has a fixed charge of R493.42 a month, which your purchases pay first. Units cost more as the month goes on: once you’ve bought 350 kWh, R100 buys 25.0 kWh.

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What R50 to R1,000 buys in Swellendam

5. Domestic prepaid, single phase 60 A40.5 kWhfor R100 at the start of the month, plus a fixed R493.42 a month

Units (kWh) for each amount, VAT included. Start of month: your first units of the month, with the fixed charge paid. First buy: the month’s first purchase, if it pays the whole fixed charge before any units. After 350 kWh: once you’ve bought 350 kWh this month.

You payStart of monthFirst buyAfter 350 kWh
R5020.20.012.5
R10040.50.025.0
R20075.50.050.0
R300108.90.075.0
R500175.62.7125.1
R1,000342.4177.8250.2
Units this monthPrice a unitR100 buys
First 50 kWhR2.4740.5 kWh
50 to 350 kWhR3.0033.4 kWh
350 to 600 kWhR4.0025.0 kWh
Above 600 kWhR4.2423.6 kWh

It has fixed charges (basic charge R10.86 a day, capacity charge R1.72 an amp a month, before VAT) that come to R493.42 for the 30 days of November, with VAT, on a 60 A single-phase supply. You pay it whatever you use, and your prepaid purchases pay it first. A figure in this tariff looks misprinted in the decision; it’s used as printed. The decision doesn’t say whether its tariffs include VAT; 15% added, as municipal tariffs are usually quoted without it. Source: NERSA decision, page 21.

Why the same R100 buys less later in the month

On this tariff, Swellendam sells electricity in blocks that start again on the first of every month. The first 50 kWh each month cost R2.47 a unit, VAT included, and the price goes up in steps after that, to R4.24 a unit above 600 kWh.

So R100 buys 40.5 kWh at the start of the month, but only 25.0 kWh once you’ve bought 350 kWh that month. Splitting your purchases doesn’t change this: the blocks count every unit you buy in the month, however you buy them.

The fixed charge

Swellendam charges R493.42 a month on this tariff, VAT included, whatever you use, and your prepaid purchases pay it first. If the whole month’s charge comes off your first purchase, your first R100 of the month buys no units at all, and R393.42 of the charge is still owed from your next purchase. Municipalities collect it in different ways, some a little with every purchase. Your till slip shows what was taken.

Other household tariffs

TariffR100 buysFixed a month
4. Domestic prepaid, single phase 45 AFor a 45 A single-phase supply40.5 kWhR463.73
2. Domestic normal, prepaid, single phase 0 to 30 AFor a 30 A single-phase supply39.8 kWhR5,923.65
3. Domestic alternative, prepaid, single phase 1 to 20 AFor a 20 A single-phase supply26.3 kWhNone
6. Domestic prepaid, three phase 21 to 60 AFor a 60 A three-phase supply40.5 kWhR683.34
1. Domestic prepaid, indigent, single phase 20 AFor households that qualify33.4 kWhNone

Units for R100 at the start of the month, VAT included, with the month’s fixed charge paid. The municipality decides who qualifies.

Not worked out from rand alone: 24. Time of use, small customers (up to 70 kVA): domestic, single phase (time of use: the price depends on the time of day); 24. Time of use, small customers (up to 70 kVA): domestic, three phase (time of use: the price depends on the time of day).

Elsewhere in the Western Cape

Units for R100 at the start of the month, VAT included.

Source: NERSA decision, page 21, Swellendam’s tariffs for 2026/27, from 1 July 2026. Worked out for November 2026. In parts of most municipalities, Eskom supplies homes directly.

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