Setting Up Home Electricity with SEC in Saudi Arabia

Whether you have just bought a new home or moved into a rented apartment, getting your electricity connected with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) is one of the first practical steps to settling in. The process is largely digital in 2026, handled through SEC's online portal and the Hesabi app, and it is easier than many newcomers expect once you know which documents you need and which platform applies to your situation. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through tariffs, account setup, new connections, and rental transfers.

Understanding SEC Residential Tariffs

Residential electricity is billed on a simple two-block system based on your monthly consumption:

• Block 1 (0–6,000 kWh/month): 0.18 SAR per kWh
• Block 2 (above 6,000 kWh/month): 0.30 SAR per kWh
• Meter service fee: typically a flat 10 SAR per month for standard residential meters
• VAT: 15% applied to the full bill subtotal
• Municipal fee: some residential bills carry an additional 5% of the bill, capped at 50 SAR

In practice, keeping monthly usage under the 6,000 kWh threshold makes a noticeable difference, since consumption above it is billed at nearly double the rate.

Which Official Channel You Need

SEC offers several official channels, and choosing the right one saves time:

• SEC website e-services portal: for new service connection requests and account management.
• SEC mobile app (Hesabi): for creating an account, viewing and paying bills, and transferring service.
• Balady platform: used for permanent service connection requests linked to building permits.
• MODON platform: reserved for industrial and commercial sites, not typical home use.

For everyday home electricity, you will mainly rely on the SEC portal, the Hesabi app, and (for owned property) Balady.

Setting Up Electricity for a Newly Owned Property

If you have built or purchased a property that needs a permanent connection, the steps are:

• Obtain a valid building permit for the property.
• Submit a service delivery request through the SEC website or Balady, selecting the residential establishment type.
• Receive the SEC coordination certificate, which specifies meter locations, load, breaker capacity, and cable sizes.
• Prepare the meter installation site to SEC technical requirements and complete the earthing (grounding) system.
• After SEC approval and technical inspection, the meter is installed and service is activated, with billing following the standard residential tariff.

Setting Up Electricity in a Rental Home

For rented homes, you will either transfer the existing account into your name or open a new one. Prepare the following:

• A rental contract registered on Ejar, typically attested by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
• Your Iqama or national ID.
• The previous tenant's final bill clearance for that meter or account.

You can submit the transfer or new-account request at an SEC branch office, through the Hesabi app, or via the online portal. Processing typically takes 3–5 working days, after which you receive a new account number and an activation SMS. A security deposit of roughly 500–1,000 SAR may be charged for new connections, depending on the property type and load. Always confirm current amounts on the official SEC channels.

Creating Your Hesabi Account

Hesabi is your digital gateway to managing everything after connection:

• Create a Hesabi user account on the SEC portal or app using your ID, mobile number, and email.
• Confirm the account with the one-time password (OTP) sent to your mobile.
• Link your electricity meter or account number to Hesabi to receive e-bills and pay online.

Once linked, you can monitor consumption, download bills, and settle payments without visiting a branch.

Practical Tips Before You Apply

• Have your Ejar contract and ID scanned and ready before starting an online request.
• Always clear the previous tenant's outstanding balance before requesting a transfer — otherwise the request may stall.
• Keep your activation SMS as proof of your new account number.
• For any exact fee, deposit, or timeline, verify directly on the official SEC portal or app, as figures can change.

With your documents in order and the right channel selected, connecting your home electricity is a straightforward part of settling into life in the Kingdom.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving