How Many Units Is R100 Electricity in South Africa?
The number of prepaid electricity units you get for R100 depends on your electricity supplier. Eskom direct supply customers pay a flat rate of R2.49/kWh, giving you 40.2 kWh. Municipal customers often pay more and usually use block tariffs, so these municipal figures are first-in-month estimates rather than guaranteed token outcomes.
R100 Electricity by Provider (2025/2026)
| Provider | Avg R/kWh* | Units (kWh) | Est. Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom Homelight 20A | R2.49/kWh | 40.2 kWh | 1.3 days |
| Eskom Homelight 60A | R3.16/kWh | 31.7 kWh | 1.1 days |
| City Power (Johannesburg) | R3.06/kWh R3.06-R4.00/kWh steps | 32.7 kWh | 1.1 days |
| City of Cape Town | R3.91/kWh R3.91-R4.65/kWh steps | 25.6 kWh | 0.9 days |
| City of Tshwane (Pretoria) | R3.42/kWh R3.42-R4.70/kWh steps | 29.2 kWh | 1 days |
| eThekwini (Durban) | R2.24/kWh R2.24-R3.17/kWh steps | 44.6 kWh | 1.5 days |
| Ekurhuleni | R2.97/kWh R2.97-R11.99/kWh steps | 33.7 kWh | 1.1 days |
* Average R/kWh = R100 ÷ kWh for this purchase. Days at 30 kWh/day average usage.
What Can R100 of Electricity Power?
With 40.2 kWh (Eskom rate), you could run approximately:
- LED lights (10W each): 168 days of 24-hour lighting per bulb
- TV (120W): 335 hours of viewing
- Fridge (150W avg): 11 days
- Electric geyser (2kW): 20 hours of heating
- Washing machine: approximately 80 loads (0.5 kWh per cold cycle)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many units of electricity do you get for R100?
On Eskom Homelight (direct supply) at the flat rate of R2.49/kWh, R100 buys you 40.2 kWh. On City Power (Johannesburg), you get about 32.7 kWh, and on City of Cape Town rates about 25.6 kWh for a first-in-month estimate. The amount varies because each municipality sets its own tariff and many use monthly block pricing.
How long will R100 electricity last?
At average household usage of 30 kWh per day, R100 of Eskom electricity (40.2 kWh) will last approximately 1.3 days. Low-usage households (10-15 kWh/day) can expect 3-4 days, while high-usage homes with geysers may use it in 1 day.
How much is 1 unit of prepaid electricity in South Africa?
On Eskom Homelight (2025/2026), 1 unit costs R2.49 on the 20A tariff. Municipal rates vary by block: City Power prepaid high is about R3.06/kWh on the first 350 kWh of the month (VAT-inclusive energy estimate), Cape Town about R3.91/kWh on the first 600 kWh, Tshwane from about R3.42/kWh, Durban (eThekwini) from about R2.24/kWh, and Ekurhuleni Tariff A2 from about R2.97/kWh on the first 600 kWh-all VAT-inclusive energy-only estimates. Tokens can change later in the month as blocks fill.
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