Set Up Home Electricity with SEC in Saudi Arabia

Getting the lights on is one of the first things you'll handle when moving into a home in Saudi Arabia. Whether you're taking over an apartment with an existing meter or connecting power to a newly built villa, the process runs directly through the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC). This is worth knowing up front: unlike many other government services, home electricity is not set up through Absher, Muqeem, or any other national platform — you deal with SEC directly, either online, through their app, or at a customer service center. This Saudi Living guide walks you through the documents, channels, fees, and timelines so you can plan your move-in without surprises.

What You'll Need Before You Start

The paperwork is straightforward, but having it ready speeds everything up. For a standard home setup on a property that already has a meter, prepare:

• Your Iqama or national ID.
• The property deed (if you own) or your rental contract (if you rent).
• Proof that the previous tenant settled their final bill — this clearance is essential to transfer the account into your name.

If you're connecting a newly built property that has no meter yet, you'll instead need the property deed and the construction completion certificate.

Where and How to Apply

SEC gives you three ways to get started, so you can pick whatever suits your schedule:

• The SEC online portal.
• The SEC mobile app.
• In-person at an SEC customer service center.

For most residents moving into an existing home, the app or portal is the quickest route. You upload your documents, submit the request, and track its status without needing to visit an office.

How Long It Takes

Processing time depends on what you're requesting:

• Account transfer (existing meter, changing the name): typically 3–5 working days.
• New connection for a newly built property: usually 7–14 days.
• Temporary supply for an urgent move-in: around 24 hours, with an expedite fee of about SAR 150 plus a deposit. This must be converted to a permanent connection within 30 days.
• Prepaid meter (available only in select areas): activation in roughly 5–7 days.

Fees and Deposits to Expect

Costs vary based on whether you're transferring an account or installing a brand-new meter, and on the size of your breaker. As general guidance for 2026:

• Account transfer fee: often around SAR 100.
• New residential connection deposit: typically SAR 500–2,000, depending on the property and breaker capacity.
• Prepaid meter installation: around SAR 200.
• Temporary supply: SAR 150 expedite fee plus a deposit.

For installing a new permanent connection, SEC applies a published fee per kVA based on your breaker capacity — for example, SAR 60/kVA in the lowest residential bracket, rising through SAR 95, SAR 120, SAR 175, and SAR 250/kVA as capacity increases. Some brackets combine a base amount plus SAR 250 Because these figures change and depend on your exact breaker size (residential setups commonly use 30, 60, 70, 100, or 200 amp meters), always confirm the current schedule directly with SEC before committing.

The Monthly Fixed Meter Fee

On top of your actual consumption, SEC charges a small fixed monthly service fee tied to your breaker size. As indicative 2026 figures:

• 20–99 A: SAR 10/month.
• 100–199 A: SAR 15/month.
• 200–299 A: SAR 21/month.
• 300–399 A: SAR 22/month.
• 400 A: SAR 25/month.
• Above 400 A: SAR 30/month.

These fixed fees can be updated, so treat them as a guide rather than a fixed promise.

Saudi Living's Practical Tips

• Before signing a lease, ask the landlord or previous tenant for proof of a cleared final bill — this alone prevents most transfer delays.
• If you're moving in on short notice, ask SEC about temporary supply so you're not left without power while the permanent connection is processed.
• Keep a digital copy of your Iqama, contract, and property deed on your phone so you can upload them instantly through the app.
• For new villas, line up your construction completion certificate early, as it's mandatory for a new meter.

Because fees, deposits, and timelines are periodically revised, always verify the latest details through SEC's official channels before you apply.

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